AT LEAST 40 people marched through the rain on Bank Holiday Monday to protest against Oxford City Council’s plans to take over the running of East Oxford Community Centre.

Last month the Oxford Mail reported the city council’s plans to take over the running of the Princes Street centre from the East Oxford Community Association (EOCA).

The council intends to take over the lease of the community centre today, while still allowing EOCA to keep revenue from the running of the hall and takings from the bar.

Following the protest, city council leader Bob Price said: “The community centre was badly run for a number of years and there were allegations of financial mismanagement.”

But proposals to demolish and rebuild the centre have been criticised by Oxford campaigners and residential groups.

Members of the Save East Oxford Community Centre group marched from Manzil Way to Oxford Town Hall in St Aldate’s to reflect community outrage at the proposals.

Chairman of Save East Oxford Community Centre Chaka Artwell said: “We have got a lot of support. We’ve got 800 signatures and people came out even though it’s raining to support us. Oxford City Council is taking over our community centre with no consultation of the people.

“My worry is that they’re going to commercialise it, drive up the prices, and make it impossible for the people who use it to go there.

“It’s killing the community that is already there.”

During the march people held placards and banners inscribed with messages including “Labour not listening to people”, and “The council isn’t listening”.

Jane Alexander, campaigner for Save Temple Cowley Pools – which was closed by the council in December last year – said: “We are so disgusted with the way that the council doesn’t listen to the public and doesn’t listen to our wishes.

“I think the support today was excellent, especially considering the weather.”

But Mr Price said: “The campaign [Save East Oxford Community Centre] is completely misguided. We have inherited a set of oddly placed old buildings and what we want to do is develop the centre and make it even better than before.”

The council leader also said that officers had spent time with “reference groups”, which consisted of residents who have given their opinion on the East Oxford Community Centre.

Mr Price added that the council’s suggestions had been communicated to residents and the group through a letter campaign, explaining the reasons for proposed redevelopment.

Protesters wanted to hand in the 800-signature petition against the redevelopment of East Oxford Community Centre, but the Town Hall was closed due to the bank holiday.