A KARATE teacher says he faces the chop if plans go ahead to sell Anerley Town Hall as part of council cuts of £1.4m.

Sensei Leonard Woplin, 30, whose Gaijin Ryu martial arts school runs classes at the town hall, says the sale will end his business and put 50 pupils back on the streets.

His campaign against the closure is backed by the recently-formed Friends of Anerley, a group which has attracted the support of more than 130 residents.

Mr Woplin, who has taught at the site for two years and says he has not been consulted about the proposals, said: "These classes are a way of keeping children off the streets and giving them confidence.

"To shut the town hall would deprive the area of a place for the local community to learn and grow."

Seymore Villas resident Linda Gee, 37, says her nine-year-old son, James, a karate pupil, has always used the town hall facilities.

She said: "These proposals are ridiculous. The town hall is a base for all kinds of groups from all parts of the community."

Council leader Michael Tickner said the council was considering keeping the public hall facility for specific uses.

He said: "Anerley is one of the least used libraries in the borough and we want to improve library services."

December 7, 2001 13:05