A statement by Andrew Rosindell M.P. regarding the recent acquisition of the Willow Rooms
Throughout my time as the Member of Parliament for Romford, I have always fought to protect our local heritage, culture and traditions, as well as safeguard the character of our individual neighbourhoods, each of which have their own local identities.
Romford’s character is one we all cherish deeply, especially those of us who have lived in this town our entire lives.
As part of that, Romford is blessed with local community halls that are open and freely accessible to local people to use for local community groups based in our town and who serve local residents who live here, as well as for private hire and special occasions.
I believe those facilities should remain available for all residents, regardless as to who they are. I am opposed to any community hall being taken over by one group to use for their own purposes. It is especially wrong when such an organisation is not local to Romford and has no connection with the area.
Therefore, as Romford’s M.P., I was devastated to learn that our much loved “The Willow Rooms” in Willow Street, off Mawney Road, which has long been part of Romford’s community life, has been sold off to an outside organisation. This venue was always intended as a hall for the use and benefit of the whole community. It has always provided a neutral space where everyone is welcome.
I am, therefore, deeply concerned by the plans of the new owners to convert this building into a ‘Masjid’, without adequate consultation with local residents or engagement with myself as the elected representative for the town.
The new owners have made no contact whatsoever with me as the local M.P. to discuss whether their plans are acceptable to the local neighbourhood and supported by the wider community in Romford. Large numbers of local residents from across Romford are dismayed by this change and the organisation, which is based in Manor Park. They should reconsider their plans immediately.
This is not how we do things in Romford. When any significant change is proposed, especially one which will alter the nature and use of a long-standing community building, the people who live here must be fully informed, and their voices listened to. It is both disrespectful and unacceptable that these plans appear to be moving forward without the open dialogue that local people rightly expect.
Where a group has previously had no connection to an area, it is incumbent on them to build links with the community first and explain their intentions in order to gain acceptance and support. In this case, they have not done so. This is profoundly unsettling for residents who live around the Lower Mawneys area.
Many local people have already expressed to me their fears about the disruption that such a change of use could bring, in terms of parking, increased traffic and the peaceful character of the surrounding streets. These are valid concerns with which I completely agree.
I, as the M.P. for Romford, along with the St. Edward’s Ward community action team, Wendy Brice-Thompson, Erwin Luzac, and Roy Chowdhury, will be raising this matter directly with Havering Council; urging them to look at the implications of this change and ensure that no decision about an alternative use for The Willow Rooms is taken without proper consultation and with the full views of Romford residents being heard.
I am also requesting a meeting with the new owners of The Willow Rooms to discuss my concerns and seek a way forward.
The bottom line is this: The Willow Rooms must continue to be open as a community hall for all local people to use for meetings, events and functions, including all religions and organisations based in Romford; there must be no restrictions imposed on the use of the hall based on the ideals of one religion; the hall must remain open to everyone from all religious and other traditions; there must not be a change of use of The Willow Rooms to a place of worship by stealth; planning permission and a full consultation of local people must take place first and the owners must respect the wishes of local people who live in Romford.
I will continue to stand up for Romford and represent the heartfelt views of my constituents.
