The Mayfield Hall project will transform a decaying former social hall in Bethnal Green into a community-based cultural space. Mayfield Hall will position community-based activities at the heart of this civic quarter in Bethnal Green. Mayfield Hall is part of Mayfield House, a 1960’s mixed-use local authority building in Bethnal Green. Originally envisaged as part of a group of civic buildings it stands at the junction of Old Ford Road and Cambridge Heath Road linking the significant local landmarks of York Hall and the V&A Museum of Childhood. In March 2015 the glazed façades of the building were boarded up and it now stands decaying at this prominent junction. Mayfield Hall’s prominent location and openness will help engage a board spectrum of the local people by projecting its activities onto the high street, reaching those who previously were unaware of the opportunities and activities of community providers and giving a platform for their expression.

What we'll deliver:

• Run a series of workshops with community and cultural organisations to discuss proposals on how best to use the hall
• Undertake a series of events to test different uses for the hall and gather feedback from community participants
• A feasibility report exploring how the hall can be adapted to accommodate future uses
• A condition survey of the building to identify areas of deterioration or failure in the construction that need repair

Why it's a great idea:

Mayfield Hall presents a fantastic opportunity to position and promote community-based cultural activities at the center of this important civic setting in Bethnal Green. It will re-imagine and revitalise a currently vacant and decaying public asset enhancing the architecture of this striking building. The amazing and valuable work of community-based organisations can remain relatively unknown and relegated to obscure accommodation hidden away from those they are looking to support. Due to its prominent location and open frontage, the activities hosted by Mayfield Hall will be projected onto the high street engaging and bringing together a broad audience and encouraging participation. The project will also seek to occupy and activate the pedestrian public space at the strategically important junction in front of Mayfield Hall to provide seating, planting and local wayfinding to surrounding attractions.

Steps to get it done:

• A cost plan to understand the build costs for works required
• Agree terms for a license/lease from Tower Hamlets for Mayfield Hall
• Commission a graphic designer to produce a graphic installation/presentation on the building promoting the future use
• Obtain pre-application planning advice from Tower Hamlets

Mayfield House was originally composed of social welfare, public and residents' programmes. Unique in its ambition, this agenda reflected a civic ambition to provide community facilities together with public housing, contributing to a social network, public activity and neighbourhood value. It accommodated public facilities including a music library, recital hall and laundry on the ground floor and on the first floor were flats allocated to the Bethnal Green Old Peoples' Welfare Committee and social hall for use as temporary residence. Significant private and public investment has been made in the restoration, conversation, renovation and extension of neighbouring civic buildings to remain significant local attractions in Bethnal Green. In 2006 the V&A Museum of Childhood was extended and refurbished, with further interior renovations planned for 2019. In 2005 York Hall was saved from closure and underwent refurbishment.