Clerkenwell fire station to reopen as temporary homeless shelter after five years lying empty at £500k cost to taxpayer

The UK’s oldest fire station is set to reopen as a temporary homeless shelter after five years lying empty at a cost of more than £500,000 to the taxpayer.

Clerkenwell fire station, in central London, was the UK’s oldest fire station until it was forced to shut in 2014.

Since then, the London Fire Commissioner has had to pay £453,314 for security and £46,717 for maintenance of the empty building.

But City Hall has announced plans to put the building to temporary use for rough sleepers while it continues talks with Islington Council on a proposal to convert it into social housing.

A spokeswoman for mayor of London Sadiq Khan confirmed today: "City Hall is working with the London Fire Commissioner and Islington Council to bring the former Clerkenwell fire station, which is currently unused, to offer rough sleeping services in the meantime before the long-term development plans around the site are finalised and begin.”

Since then-mayor of London Boris Johnson closed the station, campaigner have fought for it to be be reopened.

One of those, former Clerkenwell firefighter and Fire Brigades Union official Greg Edwards, told the Standard of today's development: “The main thing is, it's been standing empty for five years. So if it’s not a fire station, at least it will be useful for London.

“It’s better the community has use for it. It’s been paid for London taxpayers throughout its existence, so we don’t want it to be a development no one has access to.”

Homeless charity Crisis revealed at the end of last year that London accounts for 25 per cent of the UK’s homeless population, with more than 6,000 people either sleeping on the streets or in tents and public transport.

The Islington Gazette reported the shelter at Clerkenwell will include 20 beds on the floor where firefighters once slept. There will also be an advice centre.

A London Fire Brigade spokesman said: “It’s important this iconic building is put to the best possible use, including considering how it could contribute to the mayor’s plans for more affordable homes for Londoners.”

“The total cost of security since Clerkenwell fire station closed in January 2014 to the end of December 2018 has been £453,314. This is based on a monthly charge of £7,500 and is paid by the London Fire Commissioner (LFC) premises security budget.

“Since its closure in 2014 up until the end of 2018, the cost of keeping the building well maintained to ensure it retains a good sale price including utilities, rates, building work, cleaning, refuse collection and ground maintenance, has been £46,717.”