The Camden Centre in Bidborough Street, London WC1, has been the home of North London CAMRA's London Drinker Beer Festival since 1985. In that time, the Festival had over 100,000 visitors from London, Britain and overseas including Japan!

Now this fine hall, the last Civic Hall in Camden, is under threat. Camden Council is thinking of selling off its Town Hall to take advantage of the high property prices that are resulting from the recent redevelopment due to the presence of the Eurostar terminal. But if they do sell, they would intend to close the Camden Centre and turn it into offices. The proposals are likely to go ahead in autumn 2009, making this coming March's Beer Festival the very last one after 25 glorious events.

But it is not just the London Drinker Beer Festival that is losing its venue. Many other community events take place here, some have been going over 40 years. Venues of this size at a reasonable price that volunteer and community groups such as ours can afford are few. And the sad thing is that the Hall actually contributes financially to the Council. It really is an asset from all viewpoints. So the Council's proposal is simply raiding the family silver for today's gain without thought of tomorrow.

We are asking everyone who has ever been to the Festival, or used the Centre, to help:

- If you live in any part of the Camden Council, please write to your local councillor. You can find their details at www.camden.gov.uk/ccm/content/council-and-democracy/twocolumn/find-your-ward-by-street-name-or-postcode.en

- You can write to Keith Moffit, the Leader of the Council via www.camden.gov.uk/ccm/content/contacts/council-contacts/council-and-democracy/contact-the-leader-of-camden-council.en or at Camden Town Hall, Judd Street, London, WC1H 9JE

- Get names on the petition that we intend to present to the Council. The petition is available in the document Camden Centre Article.doc. Note this is a Microsoft Word document that you can print out.

We can save this Centre - but only with your help

Cristine Cryne