The Holloway prison site was closed as a jail almost 10 years ago – and campaigners have always demanded a new centre

A LONG-AWAITED women’s centre risks being left empty because eye-watering service charges would mean no charity could afford to move in, a film director has warned.

Since development began on the Holloway Prison site – set to be turned into nearly 1,000 new homes – space was earmarked for a building that would provide a number of women’s services.

It was intended that this would honour the legacy of the former-women’s jail in Camden Road.

But film director Sophie Compton, whose critically acclaimed documentary follows ex-inmates returning to the site of Holloway Prison, has said service charge levels would mean no group or charity working in the criminal justice system would be able to afford to run a base there.

Peabody has quoted a figure of £375,000 in service and maintenance costs for any charity wanting to use the building. This does not include bills for water, gas, or electricity.

Ms Compton told the Tribune: “Holloway prison played a role in so many people’s lives and there was the potential, when it was knocked down, to look at its positive impact – for some it led to housing, jobs, opportunities. It was at the centre of some important women’s movements.

“But there is a large funding gap: the developer will build the space but who will pay for it afterwards? Figures quoted say it would cost £400,000 a year to run building – it seems these charities are being set up to fail.”

Ms Compton, along with her co-director Daisy-May Hudson, have told the stories of women who spent time inside the prison before it closed in 2016, and say it is essential that its radical legacy is respected.

The huge re-development, led by housing association Peabody, always included this women’s building, but the project has been continuously scaled back since it was first envisioned.

In 2022, the disappointment was palpable when activists were told the idea was to be reduced to just a single floor in one of five blocks.

Now Ms Compton fears that the high cost of running the building would mean many charities would remain shut out.

She said: “For many charities and services who could make use of a women’s centre, a place that builds on the legacy of so many who were in Holloway, the idea of such a high annual cost means it is completely out of reach”.

Mandy Ogunmokun, who founded the Treasures Foundation which provides accommodation and support for women with experience of the criminal justice system said the running cost would be “impossible” for organisations like hers.

She said: “We need women of influence to come together with funding as £375,000 is impossible for grassroots charities which do magnificent work and are passionate for the cause”.

Rose McDonald, board member of Community Plan for Holloway, said: “The Women’s Building mission is at risk if funding is not found for the longer term. It’s essential to find funding both for the operator to set up and establish the building but also to support its mission over the years to come. This does not seem to have been properly thought through by Peabody and Islington Council.

“With the Women’s Justice Board being set up by the government, it seems that policy makers are finally focusing on women in prison – these women have so often been overlooked, now’s the time to deliver for them properly. The legacy of the Holloway Prison is at stake.”

A spokesperson from Peabody said: “We’ve been working closely with the council, women’s service providers, and women with personal experience of the criminal justice system to shape the building’s design and purpose.

“Construction is well under way and the building is expected to be completed by early 2028.

“Following consultation with the community, the size of the Women’s Building increased to 1,489 square metres and will include multi-functional rooms, private consultation spaces, and a dedicated garden.

“Future operators will not be asked to pay rent, but, like any building of this scale, there will be essential running costs. While any operator will be required to pay these costs, we’re exploring a range of funding options to help ensure the building is viable in the long term.

“A formal process for selecting an operator will take place in due course, and we remain committed to ongoing conversations with local people and women’s groups to ensure the building becomes the lasting and valuable community resource intended.”

A spokesperson for Islington Council said: “We’re committed to making Islington a more equal place that recognises and responds to the needs of women and girls, wherever they are from – and plans for the Women’s Building in Holloway are a key part of that commitment.

“We’ve been working closely with Peabody to support the commissioning of an operator to manage the venue and to understand the long-term costs of running the building. Peabody, as the future landlord, has provided an estimate of service and maintenance costs to help inform joint fundraising efforts.

“We will continue to work with Peabody and local stakeholders to ensure the building is sustainable and can deliver on its original purpose.”