I use this club myself for kids and really like it however it isn't in great shape by any accounts so I can see the Councils arguments. The thing is though, the Council havent said that they wont provide childrens services on the site so I do feel that they should be listened to and engaged with so that some suitable alternative can be provided in line with what local people want. If people dont know what that service might be then they really need to ask and ensure that they are fully consulted as it does seem that this is what the Council are asking.

I agree with their view on the state of the building. It is nearing the end of its useful life and I would estimate repair and a refurb at well over £100k probably more. Replacement is probably not an option but I would put that in the region of £300k on that current site at the very least.

Bromley are pretty unique in south London in that they charge for the service and even charge young babies £1 to get in which I always felt was inappropriate considering they couldnt benefit from the service. It does seem as if they werent recycling the receipts back into repairs, or perhaps they were, however it was probably like throwing money down the drain in the case of a building like that as once its past its useful life buildings like that one just soak up cash with little to show for it.

Councils of all political shades are struggling with One O Clock Clubs and other childrens services and keeping them open as they no longer have the budgets to do so and many are entering into joint ventures or other partnerships to continue a service even if it is much reduced from before. Bromley have always charged a decent entrance fee for this club so it isnt unforseeable that alternative provision would charge similar rates.