As readers of this blog will know, I’m disabled and have problems with my mobility. I came out of hospital last week to the terrible news that our Local Housing office is to close.  I have been a Westminster City Council tenant for the last 16 years  and now they want to take away our Estate Office, that provides a Community Service within offices that sit on designated community land.

I and many others like me will never be able to travel to the proposed new location at Marylebone. I live alone and have no family to rely on due to a bad childhood. Having a local Estate Office means that I get to see people that know me and understand my issues and difficulties. My relationship with the Estate Office stretches back a long time. Anyone just starting a tenancy going forward will now be denied that relationship by Westminster City Council and City West Homes actions if they choose to put commercial interests and money above the needs of their tenants.

I have taken to my blog, because this is the only voice that I have, to plead with both Westminster City Council and City West Homes to think about the needs of their residents and about how long the Estate Office has been serving local council tenants in Soho and Covent Garden. Marylebone is a very recent addition. Please think about the impact that this closure will have on the very tenants that you have a responsibility to. Please honour the commitment that you made to the community, when you first opened the Estate Office on community land 16 years ago.

You seem to be forgetting that these are not just offices, but a team that help residents in the local community, from a base that has been there for many years. Please don’t take that away from us.