Established 2005 Registered Charity No. 1110656

Scottish Charity Register No. SC043760

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Tower Hamlets hostel

Estate agents in East London are seeking new tenants for a 110-bed hostel Estate agents in East London are seeking new tenants for a 110-bed hostel. Local Liberal Democrat councillor Dr Stephanie Eaton contacted The Pavement, hoping that the property lease might attract the attention of an organisation to support the homeless. But Cllr Eaton warned that the site will need a lot of work: "It appears to be a generally sound building, though in need of maintenance. The rooms are a reasonable size, kitchens are OK, and communal areas are a good size," she said. "The roof needs repairing and the lifts do not work." The council believes the building could be put to good use to house homeless people in Tower Hamlets, although the council themselves have no plans to take over the building. "The Council's official numbers of rough sleeping people are ridiculously low," said Cllr Eaton. "But I know there are a number of homeless people who need hostel accommodation, so it would be great if this could be repaired and put into use to house homeless people. " The property, on Commercial Road, in Limehouse, was last held by DMG Management Ltd, who most recently let rooms to their Romanian and Polish contract workers, employed for renovations on the famous luxury hotel, The Savoy. The contract has now ended, and the estate agency understands the workers have been re-housed or have returned home. It is believed that DMG Management Ltd had used the property for various contract construction projects. Previously, the building has been a nursery and a convent, but it is hoped it can remain a hostel. It has been empty for several weeks, but the estate agents are struggling to find the right tenants. Stephen Hurford, of Hurford Salvi Carr, said that he had received more than 100 enquiries from possible tenants, and has shown more than 45 groups around the property. But none, so far, have sufficient hostel experience to manage the building well enough. The site is to be let on a new 10- year lease, with a rent of £300,000 per annum, which equates to just £7.50 per bed per night.
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