Stratford Circus Arts Centre fights closure

Stratford Circus Arts Centre is fighting plans by Newham Council that it says will force it to close.

The council wants to expand its Stratford 'Youth Zone'. The centre says this will remove it from its base of more than 10 years and "mean the loss of a successful and financial sound cultural and community organisation".

Newham Council wants to double its youth offer as part of a 2018 pledge by Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz. A recent council document says the Youth Zones "are not buildings; they are defined areas within Newham where a range of activities take place … based on the needs of young people".

Stratford Circus says it already provides creative learning programmes to about 10,000 young people a year.

CEO Tania Wilmer said: "We are particularly proud of our youth work and had hoped to continue our dialogue with the council on expanding this."