Council renews call to take on community centre

Woking Borough Council is looking for someone to take on Parkview Community Centre in Sheerwater

A cash-strapped Surrey council has issued another appeal for a new operator to run a "vibrant" community centre.

Woking Borough Council said it was an "exciting opportunity" to run Parkview Community Centre in Sheerwater, which has a "spacious hall, multipurpose function rooms, office space, a mirrored studio and free on-site parking".

The local authority first issued the appeal last July, which gathered expressions of interest but the application was withdrawn.

The council, which effectively declared itself bankrupt in June 2023, is handing over the running of community assets as it attempts to make budget savings.

It said transferring Parkview will save it about £75,000 per year.

Councillor Steve Greentree, Woking Borough Council's portfolio holder for living well, said: "Parkview is a valued community asset with highly versatile facilities, offering the successful group the freedom and potential to develop the service offered to the community.

"We look forward to hearing from interested organisations."

The council said it "remains positive" about finding a new operator and that it had already received some new expressions of interest.

The deadline for expressions of interest is 21 February.

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