The Drovers Centre will be sold off by the council

THE former site of a pensioners’ day centre is set to be sold off by the council after being earmarked for residential development.

The Drovers Centre was shuttered in early 2020 due to budget constraints with the promise that it represented an “opportunity to develop much-needed housing”.

The building, previously home to a popular community centre for pensioners and older people in North Road, will now be sold along with 13 other council-owned sites now deemed surplus.

In an executive meeting last Thursday, council chiefs rubber-stamped a recommendation to dispose of the site. The centre was assessed for development into a mixed-use development incorporating the neighbouring Goodinge medical centre, but plans were abandoned after it was deemed non-viable. Documents from the meeting also call the site “dilapidated”.

Labour’s Paul Convery

The 2020 closure came despite fiery opposition – during a council consultation, 74 per cent of people said they opposed the closure.

The council proceeded with shutting the centre, saying its social care budget could no longer afford to pay Age UK to deliver services there. The building also needed £170,000 in repairs.

Green councillor Giulio Ferrini called it “a shame” that the non-viability of residential development was only determined after the centre was already closed.

“I know it was a very thriving community centre. People were very, very sad when it was closed,” he said.

“And they were told that it was closed because it was going to be used to deliver much-needed housing. And obviously, six years down the line, the council is now deciding to sell it.

“Maybe the community centre could have remained. We all know how critical community centres are. And it’s a shame that the council decided to close it only then to realise that they can’t develop housing there.”

Another former day centre which used to serve Islington’s older population, Sotheby Mews, is also set to be sold as part of the asset rationalisation passed during Thursday’s Town Hall meeting.

Benali Hamdache, from the Greens

Subject to planning permission and funding, the former Highbury community hub will be sold to the NHS and used as a new medical centre.

When it closed not long after Drovers and following much backlash, its services were moved to Highbury Roundhouse.

Ismail Bahriyeli, head of carers and community at Age UK Islington, said: “Following the closure of the Drovers activities centre in January 2020, Age UK Islington worked closely with the council, local community centres and residents to help ensure all those who attended could continue accessing activities and support according to their needs.

“Many of the activities previously offered at Drovers were incorporated into programmes at local community venues across the borough.

“We recognise the vital role community spaces play in helping older people stay connected and continue to provide support to help older residents overcome barriers to participation, stay engaged in their community and get the help they need when they need it most.”