AFTER months of promises from Waltham Forest Council about re-development and investment, the future of Chingford Assembly Hall is in doubt.

Local users, which include Acorn films, Chingford Village Festival and councillors who enjoy reduced hire rates, fear the hall will not be used when proposed higher charges take effect.

Two years ago the council planned a £6m investment in the hall and adjoining library, which was to include a Waltham Forest Direct shop, a cafe, an extension to the library, a creche, a bar, extra toilets and refurbishment of the foyer.

Now planning officers say there is simply not enough in the coffers for even a basic revamp of the hall and the library.

At a meeting of the North Chingford Community Council on 15th January, council officer Paul Humphreys said the new joint service centre project does not include improvements to the hall, apart from improving disabled access and replacing the roof that spans the two centres.

A breakdown of the joint service centre project expenditure, produced on request of a member of the community council, shows that £284,203 has already been spent on project managers salaries, employers agents, transport studies fees and meetings.

David Piggott, the director of Acorn Films, which has been using the hall since the 1960's, said that even without the hire charge increases the venue will no longer be suitable for showing films. This is because of plans to merge the library and assembly hall foyers, which will mean the space that housed the box office, video sales and catering booth will be lost.

Cllr Keith Rayner, deputy leader and cabinet member for corporate services, said last year: "We've listened to local people and believe this is now the best way to provide accessible local services for the people of Chingford.

"We now have a better location for our WFD shop, but will still keep our promise to improve the Assembly Hall and the library."

However he modified his speech earlier this year, saying: "As a result of listening to local people we have a better location for our WFD shop, and we are still keeping our promise to improve the library."