Last January a community bid was made to Hackney, on behalf of a number of charitable and creative enterprises, to re-open the former Colvestone Primary School for public benefit - the aim is to continue the educational, cultural and social heritage which the school buildings embody. Hackney neither accepted nor rejected, or even discussed, that proposal but has now instructed estate agents Strettons to invite bids for the school site on the open market
Hackney has released a press statement in which the Mayor of Hackney said “We cannot let these buildings sit empty or simply offload them to the highest bidder, but have a duty to ensure they remain important public assets that benefit our communities." At the same time Strettons launched its marketing campaign describing the site as having a number of possible commercial uses including for private education.
Hackney's press release also states "organisations will need to ensure any proposals are sustainable and financially viable". However it seems unlikely that a community enterprise seeking to maximise public benefit will be financially viable if it is also expected to pay Hackney the full market rent for the site which would offered by competing commercial bidders.
