Hackney Council rent hike threatens Centerprise

Emmanuel Amevor, CEO at Centerprise Trust. Photograph: Antonio Curcetti

A ‘radical’ bookshop and cultural centre could be forced to close if talks between its representatives and Hackney Council collapse.

Centerprise in Dalston was founded in 1970 and is run by the Centreprise Trust Ltd from a council-owned building in Kingsland High Street.

Its Chief Executive Emmanuel Amevor claimed the council had initially refused offers of mediation over issues relating to its lease – something denied by the council – and an online petition has attracted over 100 signatures following threats of legal action from the Town Hall.

The council said an initial court hearing date of 11 November was cancelled to enable the mediation process to commence as requested by Centerprise.

A new hearing is expected to take place later this month.

A council spokeswoman said Centreprise had been paying £10 per week rent on a double shop-front property on a busy high street.

She added that this was “not a rent level that could continue for any organisation.

“Despite attempts from the council, Centerprise has failed to adequately engage with us over several years regarding a new lease. The council is continuing with the legal proceedings unless a new lease is successfully agreed with Centerprise.”