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Brabners solicitor used to support Fazakerly's community group
15/08/2007

A community group in Liverpool claims it could be forced to close if the City Council imposes a massive rent hike on property given to it by the American military.

Fazakerley Community Association has paid a peppercorn rent to use the building, which was donated to local people by the US at the end of the Second World War, after it was moved to its current location.

The hall, on Lower Lane, had been used as a military hospital to treat injured American service personnel prior to the award which was in recognition of the support of Fazakerley residents for the US war effort.

But the Association says it can`t afford the annual rent of £2,250 which the council has demanded as part of negotiations over a new lease on the property.

It has warned that closure will mean an end to its work with local people and could arguably cause an increase in anti-social behaviour.

Association chairman John Davies said: `We think it`s unfair of the city council to ask for such a huge increase in rent on a property given to local people. It is the Association and not the council which has spent money maintaining the hall and the site has no viable alternative use. We don`t think that it has given sufficient thought to the impact of the rent demand on the residents of Fazakerley.î

Known locally as the Memorial Hall, the structure had originally stood in the grounds of the old Aintree Hospital and was used by American forces.

When it later had to be moved, the city council agreed to provide the current site unconditionally for use by Fazakerley residents. After the last 20-year lease expired, the Association was given notice to quit the land unless it agreed to pay an annual rent of £5,500, later reduced to £2,250.

The move prompted Mr Davies and colleagues to hire Philip Parker, a solicitor with leading North West law firm Brabners Chaffe Street, to contest the authority`s demand.

Mr Davies added: `Fazakerley is already seen by police as a hotspot of anti-social behaviour following the closure of a local sports centre. By withdrawing yet another important amenity, we would arguably see even more trouble and further erosion of the quality of life of local people.î


For further information contact Rachel Wingfield at Brabners Chaffe Street on 0151 600 3031

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