Hopscotch is Saved ... (for now)

Great news!

Brent have confirmed that they're offering Hopscotch a one year extension to its lease, so Hopscotch is now secure until July 2014.

This is a fantastic victory for the campaign and means that Hopscotch can carry on providing its superb services for the near future. However, the long term future is still uncertain and so in many ways the real work starts now.

There are several ways we can ensure that Hopscotch has a secure future.

It's not yet clear whether Islamia will be occupying the other half of the building - but if Hopscotch is to stay in the current building long-term we will need to come up with a plan that will use the full building and pay an appropriate rent to the council.

This would most likely involve finding a suitable partner with a complementary use for the upper floors - perhaps a small primary school or other educational use. If you know of anyone who might have use for the space in a way that would complement Hopscotch please get in touch.

We will also need help in developing a business plan, possibly making alterations to the building, etc. Anyone with skills in these areas who can help us would be much appreciated.

Of course another possibility is to move to an alternative site and we will carry on looking for any such premises. Again, any suggestion welcome.

The important thing is that we now have time to explore these alternatives fully.

Thanks again for all your help in securing this important victory,

Save Hopscotch Campaign

November Update

A quick update on the Save Hopscotch Campaign

On the 1st Nov we had a fantastic visit to Westminster with more than 40 children and adults there to meet Glenda Jackson.

See the photos here:
http://savehopscotch.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/amazing-day-at-westminster.html

We got good articles in Standard and Kilburn Times:
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/education/mothers-say-queens-park-nursery-is-under-threat-8231263.html
http://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/...

It's great to have Glenda's support and this has definitely been noticed by the council.

The position from Brent does appear to have softened - they seem much more willing to consider options and are making clear they haven't yet decided whether or not to renew the lease. However, time is running out - they need to make a decision soon so that Hopscotch can plan accordingly.

So we're having a real push to put pressure on the council to extend the lease as soon as possible.

Whether or not you've written before, please contact your local councillors and the councillors in charge: George Crane(Regeneration) and Mary Arnold (Children) to let them know how important it is to save Hopscotch.

Below is an example email. It is of course better if you can rewrite it a little, but even if you only have time to cut and paste please do as it shows how many people care.

Please email to the following addresses (best to send seperate emails to make clear you expect a reply from each of them) plus your local councillors.
cllr.george.crane@brent.gov.uk
cllr.mary.arnold@brent.gov.uk

List of ward councillors here:
http://democracy.brent.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?FN=WARD&VW=LIST&PIC=0

Let us know what reply (if any) you get at
info@savehopscotch.org.uk

Many thanks,

Save Hopscotch


Example email:

Dear Councillor

I am a Brent resident (and a parent with a X year old son/daughter at
Hopscotch Nursery) and I'm very concerned about the future of Hopscotch.

I’m sure you know that Hopscotch is an Ofsted rated ‘outstanding’ nursery
in an area with a real shortage of full time nursery places.
Hopscotch also provides a wider service to the local community through its low-
cost drop-in for parents/carers and under 5 and has served the area for over 20 years.

I understand that the current lease runs out in July 2013 and that Brent is now deciding whether to renew it. If a decision to renew the lease is not made very soon Hopscotch will be forced to announce its closure which will be a great loss to the area.

I hope you will do everything you can to ensure that Brent Council does renew the lease and gives Hopscotch a secure future.

I look forward to hearing back from you on this matter.

Yours sincerely

Amazing Day at Westminster

Today a huge group of at least 20 children and many more grownups descended on Parliament to meet our MP Glenda Jackson. She was very supportive and seemed to be having a whale of a time.

As you can see, we got some fab photos and we're hoping these will make it into the newspapers.

This all helps Brent to realise how important Hopscotch is - and the visible support of our MP puts even more pressure on the council.

Please spread these around - and if you took an pics send them to info@savehopscotch.org.uk

Thanks to everyone who came along.