Sudden closure of Thursday venue

We are gutted that our Thursday venue and superb local resource Derinton Road Community Centre has suddenly been shut down by the council for allegedly owing them £5000. Mark's T'ai Chi classes have been running there for over 8 years and he has spent a very large amount on rent to the council: he was given no notice, just turned up to locked gates - a disgrace. He had to turn 4 new students away tonight which was very sad. So many local groups use the place, there's a nursery too. By chance a Labour councillor was driving by and said she'd heard dark rumours about deals with the building. She was going to raise it at a meeting tonight and she will collate our complaints for those in power. It feels awful that the council treats its people so shabbily. 6 months notice is essential for a business to move on, as affordable venues are so rare, they don't seem to care at all about people's livelihoods or students' class commitments. Does anyone know anything about what's behind this? If so, please get in touch with me.

Can anyone suggest a place where we can hold a class 6.30-10.30pm each Thursday for a reasonable rent? Unusual venues are ok too! I have already contacted St Mary Magdalene Church Hall, but the Magdalene Players have been there for 30 years on Thursday evenings. Venues in Balham, Tooting and Clapham are all possible. There will be a class next week, it may be at mine, Mark's or another hall. I will post details here early next week. Next week is the first week of term re payments, everyone will get 7 weeks for their 6 week fee, as both Tuesday and Thursday classes had had to miss a class this year. Please help with us finding a hall if you can by calling or emailing me with contacts or ideas. I have posted on the very useful Furzedown Net, so maybe something will come of that.

I will put a poster up at the venue by 6pm next week in case anyone doesn't get the web info over the next few days and will probably go there and wait in case of newbies to redirect them.

Thanks to Mark and all those who came round here for a couple of hours push hands tonight in lieu of class.