London charity fears services will suffer after rent rise
February 19th, 2010 by Chloe.Setter
One of London’s first LGBT charities has warned that its services may be cut following a sharp increase in its rent from the council.
According to chief executive Matthew Halliday, London Friend, which was established in 1972, is a “grassroots, frontline counselling service for LGBT people” providing a valuable service for the community.
However, within weeks of taking on the role at London Friend, Halliday was told that the charity’s rent is set to rise by 21%.
“It was a shock to get the letter. It was one of the first I received since working at London Friend,” he told Lesbilicious.
“We haven’t budgeted for such a big increase. We don’t have the time or resources to fight it.”
The rented property, on Caledonia Road, King’s Cross, is managed by an external management company and, according to Halliday, any appeal over the increase must be channelled through them – something it cannot afford to fund.
“It’s going to be a manic year,” he said. “It will be all hands on deck. Luckily, we have many supporters and volunteers. We just have to hope for the best and stay optimistic.”
The charity has spent the past four years being sustained mainly through legacy grants from supporters.
However, this year it must actively fundraise in order to sustain the services it provides, which include an LGBT helpline, support groups, a befriending service, a bereavement helpline and counselling services.
A spokesman for Islington Council told Lesbilicious that the property was due its three-year rent review and that the rate could be negotiated with the freeholder.
He said: “We’ve not put the rent up for three years… Rent negotiations are well in hand.”
“Islington Council values the contribution equalities groups make in helping us achieve our goal as one of the most friendly boroughs in the UK.”
London Friend’s rent rise comes just days after a similar situation hit Gay’s The Word, the UK’s only LGBT bookstore, which faces a 25% increase in its rent.
comments