Former London guitar store set to house 55 homeless families
While it’s unfortunate that a growing number of physical guitar stores have been forced to cease business in recent years, a city council in East London plans to utilise a former store to house vulnerable families.
According to the BBC, Havering Council will lease Chesham House in Romford and transform it into a temporary home for up to 55 homeless families. Those in need of accommodation will be able to stay for anywhere between 12 and 24 months.
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Chesham House has been vacant since music retailer DV247 was forced to shut its doors in October. Previously, DV247 had been operating out of the building since June 2013.
Havering Council has previously stated that one of its biggest financial burdens is the cost of temporary accommodation. According to the BBC, the 10-year lease it plans to take out on Chesham House will hopefully save around £9,700,000. That doesn’t mean it will be cheap though – leasing the site will cost the council £8,400,000 and a further £6,500,000 to maintain and operate.
Council leader Ray Morgon told the BBC that the former store will have a “profound and positive” impact on the families it will aid.
Labour councillor Keith Darvill has reportedly voiced concerns, however. Previous commercial properties have not been appropriately converted, so he insists that it will need to be suitably renovated to house the families safely. But he does admit that the current temporary housing situation in Havering is a “real mess”.
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
