HUNDREDS of angry residents gathered to protest about the closure of a community centre.
About 250 people from Isleworth marched through the town waving placards and banners, demanding that plans to shut St John's Community Centre in St John's Road are dropped.
The activists said the centre not only hosts 32 different groups, but it is also a popular venue for meetings and other community activities.
Ian Speed, Chair of The Independent Community Group, led the march on Saturday November 19 and said that people in the area would be hit hard if th centre fell subject to Hounslow Council's cost cutting measures.
He said: “This enormous turnout will hopefully have impressed upon the lead members and other councillors the strength of feeling that exists.
"People want this centre to stay."
He added that the huge amount of people should show the council how important the centre was to people.
Labour Councillors, Theo Dennison and Ed Mayne also attended the march.
Mr Mayne said: "I went to the march to listen to the concerns of protesters.
"As a result of cuts made by the Conservative government, the council has to consider making savings to large number of buildings owned to preserve front line savings, like waste collections and child protection.
"I don't want the centre to close at all, but these are difficult times."
He added refurbishing St John's so it was fit for purpose would cost up to £500,000, when Isleworth public hall, a building just up the road, could be used to host the community groups instead.
The decision to sell off the property comes just over a year since Hounslow Council gave £250,000 for repair work to the centre's roof.
Mr Dennison added that the consultation will continue until November 30 and said he wanted to reassure residents that there was no threat to Isleworth public hall.
