Bishop’s Stortford Town Council rejects plan for 145% increase in hire charges for new Markwell Studio in revamped Castle Park

Charities breathed a sigh of relief after a proposal for a 145% increase in charges to hire the newly built community space in Castle Park was rejected by town councillors.

Markwell Studio was built on the site of the old toilet block, with the nearby historic Markwell Pavilion, which was used by various community groups, being converted into The Terrace Park Café and Kitchen.

When the new studio space was opened by town mayor Cllr Richard Townsend in October last year as part of the £3.5m Castle Park regeneration project, the town’s u3a (University of the Third Age) group announced it would hold its various activities for it 718 members there.

But last week the group was shocked to hear a proposal would be put to Bishop’s Stortford Town Council’s finance and policy committee on Monday (Nov 11) to increase the hire charge from £10.20 an hour to £25 – a substantial hike of 145%.

Chair of u3a Dr Sue Rayner Jacobs wrote to the council on behalf of the group’s committee and leaders, asking the councillors to reject “such a steep hike in hire charges”.

Her letter added: “Such a move would put it out of range of our groups’ finances, and we would be forced to discontinue our bookings for the Markwell Studio and find alternative venues.”

Renee Friend, volunteer and ambassador for Isabel Hospice, also urged the council to “rethink” the proposal.

Renee has organised support groups for senior citizens for more than 30 years on behalf of the Welwyn Garden City-based hospice – which serves Bishop’s Stortford and the surrounding area – as a “vital lifeline” for them, “mentally as well as physically”.

She said the increase would mean they would no longer be able to hire the space, adding no other facilities in the town would be convenient.

At the meeting on Monday the full context of the price rises was discussed. The current price had been set low in recognition of the inconvenience regular users had suffered during the Castle Park improvements.

Councillors heard users should have been aware it was never the intention to keep the fees so low and currently the Markwell Studio was running at a loss – the only community centre in the town to do so.

However, it was acknowledged that in percentage terms the proposed increase was large and might have a negative impact on regular users if they had not planned for it.

It was therefore agreed that for the next year charities and regular users would be offered a block booking discount of 50% for weekday usage. For one-off private hirers, the fees would remain as originally advertised. Charges will be reviewed again next year.

Dr Rayner Jacobs welcomed the decision, adding: “This will enable the Bishop's Stortford u3a and other charities to continue to book this new build at an affordable rate for their small group activities.”