Residents from the Peckwater estate are worried about what the council is planning for their hall

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PECKWATER residents came out to celebrate their bar as they shared concerns with the New Journal about its future and place on the estate.

The Peckwater TRA Hall, built using breezeblocks in 1963 with an estimated lifespan of just 25 years ahead of it, has surely stood the test of time. A focal point of the estate and its community, the hall is also vital to Peckwater’s darts and pool sports teams that use it.

A new Tenants Residents Association committee was elected last month to run the hall but it is, as yet, unable to give a clear picture of possible changes in its role. This has led to anxiety among some residents who fear the hall’s future as a socialising hub may be at risk.

Jackie Thompson who has been coming to the Peckwater TRA hall for more than 20 years, said: “This place is so important for socialising. It’s a place to take the kids and get out of the house for the evening.

“Also the bottom line is what would the community do with their mental health if they couldn’t socialise with friends and family? Mental health is a big part to play in this, it’s important. “We’re all family that come in here, we’re all related, it’s the only time and place we get to meet up with our children, because children are allowed in here. This place provides learning activities, fun arts, Christmas and Halloween activities and it is free, and not just for the people that come in here – it’s for the whole estate.

“If the club wants to change, perhaps to become a kids’ club of sorts, it’s a great idea. There’s nothing wrong with this facility being used during the day for children’s activities, because children are a big part of the community.

“But we need a place to socialise as well. After 7.30 this place is also available for socialising for adults. It can be used for both. And I hope it will continue to be. “If we were having violent brawls because of alcohol consumption, fine – but families who come in here come for a cup of tea and a can of Coke, there’s some families who come and have a beer, there’s some families who come and have a cup of tea or a soft drink. It’s not about the alcohol here, it’s about mental health and socialising.”

Sharon Hoare has been coming to the hall since her children were small.

She said: “It’s all memories here, of when the kids were younger. You’ve got options whether you want to drink or not.”

The council told the New Journal that no decision has been made yet on any future uses of the Peckwater TRA hall.

A Camden Council spokesperson said: “We are delighted that a new committee has recently been elected for the Peckwater TRA. “All TRAs manage their own halls and decide on how they should be used, and we are committed to working alongside the committee to assist them with this.”