Remaining users of St Paul’s Centre in Enfield Town given until 10th December to find alternative premises, reports James Cracknell

An Enfield community centre has been sold to a Romanian church group and its users given just over one month to find alternative premises.

St Paul’s Centre in Church Street, Enfield Town, was first put up for sale last year with a guide price of £2.2m, after the United Reformed Church admitted it was “no longer able to run and maintain the building”.

Community groups using the centre were originally given until the end of October 2022 to vacate the building, but St Paul’s Centre has since continued to be used as an events space for hire while the sale of the building was negotiated throughout this year.

Now, notice has been given that it will no longer be available for use by community groups from the middle of December.

In a statement, the Enfield Thames North Synod of the United Reformed Church (URC) said: “Following the decision to sell the St Paul’s Centre building [URC] can now confirm that contracts for sale have been exchanged and should complete on 15th December 2023.

“The property has been purchased by the Romanian Orthodox Church and Centre. All current users will be given notice to vacate the premises by Sunday 10th December 2023 and the synod hopes they are able to find other suitable premises for use.”

While most of the previous, long-term users of St Paul’s Centre such as Age UK Enfield and U3A have already moved to other venues around the borough, the building has continued to be used for dance and fitness classes as well as for one-off events.

The Dispatch has been unable to contact the Romanian Orthodox Church to find out how the building will be used from mid-December onwards.

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