A popular town hall green is set to open again after it was fenced off during redevelopment work.
Hornsey Town Hall said that it was “thrilled to announce” that its green would reopen to the public on July 17.
It comes after developer Far East Consortium, which is restoring the town hall into a boutique hotel, was criticised earlier this year for not opening the green up to the public.
A Stroud Green resident told Ham and High that the green was always “used copiously”, especially during the summer months.
At the time, Far East Consortium denied accusations that the parkland in front of the town hall had “shrunk”.
David Winskill, a former Haringey councillor for Crouch End, has now said that while people will be looking forward to using the space during the summer, it is disappointing that it will not open in time for the Crouch End Festival.
🎉 We're thrilled to announce that as of Monday 17th of July, the green at Hornsey Town Hall will be open. We thank you for your patience during the time of closure and look forward to welcoming the community back. pic.twitter.com/TJjHqwZovc
— Hornsey Town Hall (@HTH_CrouchEnd) June 19, 2023
He said: “Clearly Far East Consortium have spent a great deal of money on the redesign and (after a false start) the general reception has been positive.
“However, the community has been treated like children with their noses pressed to the sweet-shop window with no explanation why the railings have remained in place for what seems like forever.
“It is a pity that our green will not be available for next week’s Crouch End Festival, but people are looking forward to using the space during the summer.”
The Crouch End Festival, a three-day community arts event, is set to take place from July 7 to July 9.
The redeveloped Hornsey Town Hall is currently set to open in late summer.
The former council chamber, vast assembly rooms - where Queen played an early gig - a rooftop bar and cinema, basement room and co-working spaces will host film, music, dance, talks, comedy and performances.
New food and drink outlets will overlook Town Hall Square, where fairs, exhibitions, markets and festivals are promised to "bring the community together".
A £200-a-night hotel will have 68 studio and one-bedroom apartments, while a total of 11 social housing flats will be built atop the current marketing suite.
Far East Consortium has also built 146 flats on the site’s former car park.
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