A petition has urged Bromley Council to reconsider its proposed rent hike for Melvin Hall Community Group in Penge, which could nearly double the group’s current rent from £27,500 to £58,835 annually.
The community group, which provides essential services such as a food bank and lunch clubs, along with hosting various charity partners, expressed concerns over the proposed increase. Johnathan Clyde, the group’s trustee and treasurer, highlighted at a Bromley Council meeting on July 15 that the 114% rent rise and additional running costs are unsustainable. He noted that more than half of the group’s annual turnover of £53,755 is allocated to rent, with the remainder used for utilities.
Clyde also mentioned that the group had been negotiating with the council for ten months and that recent staff departures were due to concerns about potential closure.
Conservative Councillor Christopher Marlow acknowledged Melvin Hall’s importance to the community but emphasized the council’s policy to prioritize statutory services over non-statutory ones. He explained that the rent increase reflects a 30% rise in prices since 2017, driven by economic disruptions from the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russian war in Ukraine.
Labour Councillor Kevin Kennedy-Brooks proposed an amendment for a revised rate structure that would ease the financial burden on the community group while still increasing revenue for the council. He stressed the importance of Melvin Hall for disabled residents and called for a sustainable business plan.
Councillor Simon Jeal supported the amendment, arguing that the community group had insufficient time to adjust its business plan. However, Cllr Marlow stated that the council had made a revised offer to the group and was open to compromise, though he did not disclose the details.
The Labour amendment was not approved, and the council voted to proceed with the original motion to continue pursuing the rent increase, with a potential sale of the property if an agreement cannot be reached.
