Labour-run Westminster is bringing the former Bayswater Children’s Centre building back to life for community use as promised in 2021
More help will be on hand for tenants and leaseholders in Westbourne and Bayswater of estates as Westminster Council has opened its newest housing office this week.
The new, council run, Housing Service Centre at Shrewsbury Rd will be open 9am-5pm Monday – Friday to provide onsite assistance for residents including those living on the nearby Brunel and Wessex estates – improving access to housing services locally. Residents can speak to housing staff, based onsite, about issues including repairs, grounds maintenance or support paying their bills.
The Bayswater site is the third of four new housing offices to open over the last 12 months (A fourth will open in Soho later this year) which will bring the total to eight across the city.
The Bayswater Children’s Centre was closed down by the Conservatives in 2016, shortly after opening, leaving a purpose built building mostly vacant for much of the time since. Similarly Conservatives also closed the previous housing estate office for the area based in the Brunel Estate, moving housing officers further away from local residents.
However, under current Labour administration, in May 2023 a new children’s stay and play service returned to the ground floor and now the new Housing Service Centre has opened on the middle floor. The meeting rooms on the top-floor are now being reopened with space for community groups and resident activities, with resident consultation due shortly to help identify new active uses for this space.
Cabinet Member for Housing Services, Liza Begum said:
“We want to make it as easy as possible for our residents to access the help they need.
“Having a familiar, friendly face on hand locally will reassure residents, providing a caring and human service, ensuring we know what issues matter most to local people.”
Leader of the Council and Cllr for Westbourne ward, Adam Hug said:
“I’m delighted to see the old Bayswater Children’s Centre building come back to life to serve our local community. Local residents really felt the loss of the local estate office since 2016, so it’s great news that Labour have been able to deliver on our commitment to bring back local estate offices to help improve housing services and better serve our communities.”