Statement about the sale of The Bridge Community Centre by The Parchment Trust

Cllr Glenn Haffenden, leader of the council, said: “We are disappointed that The Parchment Trust have decided to sell The Bridge despite conversations earlier in the summer, when the Leader and the Deputy Leader of HBC reached out to ask the Parchment Trust if they would at least consider meanwhile use of the top floor, so that community could finally access the building after it had been shut for over seven years.  

“It is even more shocking that the building, which was funded by public money and gifted to the Parchment Trust, is now being offered for sale at £650,000. There were a number of community organisations that have showed interest in the building for meanwhile use, but none will be able to raise this sort of money. It is hard to understand how the Parchment Trust have reached this decision without reaching out to either Hastings Borough Council or East Sussex County Council at an early stage when they realised it was becoming difficult to find a way to open the building.” 

Cllr Julia Hilton, deputy leader of the council and lead councillor for shaping place, added: “We will be working to ensure the covenants on the building are properly enforced, that should guarantee this building has a community use. The Parchment Trust are already in breach of this covenant as the building has remained closed since finally transferring to their ownership.”