An old Southampton community centre has become a hotspot for vandalism after being neglected for over a decade.
Harefield Community Centre, on Yeovil Chase, has been left in a “derelict state” for over ten years.
But in recent months, resident and community advocate, Gerard Hales, 56, has noticed an increase in vandalism at the plot of land.
Speaking to the Daily Echo, he said: “The site has been left in a more or less abandoned and derelict state since well before I moved in, and I moved in 12 years ago.
“Over the last five years or so, the condition has become noticeably worse and the place is becoming derelict.
“But in recent months, it's been quite clear that there's been repeated vandalism on the site and that local children and teenagers have been getting access.”
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Smashed glass and litter is visible around the property.
He added: “All the glass has either been smashed or has been boarded over. It's unacceptable.”
He thinks the space could be used for the benefit of the community such as a warm bank or for clubs.
West Itchen Community Trust took ownership of the building in February 2020 from Southampton City Council.
The trust, which runs other community hubs in Northam and St Mary’s, has been forced to halt investment in the site due to "financial pressures caused by the pandemic".
Chief Executive Rick Harwood said: “When we took on the centre in February 2020, it had been empty and in a state of dilapidation for possibly five years or more when it was owned by the council.
“Unfortunately, the impact of COVID decimated our business, being a charity and a social enterprise with a number of commercial buildings, and our income was decimated.
“Our team ended up, over the last year or two going down from seven full-time equivalents to almost just myself, trying to run things and get us through it.
“So, it has proved very difficult for us to move forward.”
Residents still hope that the centre can be put to good use.
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