Campaign to save Tudor Hall from sale to a private buyer

Barnet Museum is leading the push for a community purchase of the historic High Barnet building, local democracy reporter Grace Howarth reports.

Barnet Museum is campaigning to save the Tudor Hall – leased by Queen Elizabeth I in 1573 – from being sold to a private owner.

The historic building in High Barnet has attracted local attention since owners Barnet and Southgate College put it up for sale in December.

In May, local heritage groups led by Barnet Museum succeeded in submitting an application for the hall to gain ‘asset of community value’ (ACV) status and were subsequently able to submit an ‘expression of interest’. This means there is a six-month break on any sale to allow community groups to formulate a funding plan to bid for the hall.

Mike Noronha, a curator at the museum, said an offer of £1 million had been made by a private investor with the intention of using the hall potentially for educational purposes, in line with its previous use.

However, because the college now has to wait six months, it gives the community campaign time to raise money to bid.

Mike said: “Our first priority was that it should be kept for some community-type use and value, it should be kept in public. Barnet College said they already have a potential buyer for him.”

He explained that the museum’s plan, if successful in the bid, was to create a Wars of The Roses (WoTR) museum or center in the hall, which would be a first for England.

The proposed center would “enhance Barnet’s heritage, educational and cultural offer”, as well as recognize the Battle of Barnet, “facilitate tourist interest” and “benefit” the local economy.

Mike said the building fitted the “historical heritage narrative” of the proposal and would suit a “national and potentially international” centre.

The Barnet Society and some Hadley Wood residents and local High Barnet residents also supported the campaign.

Mike explained that the museum is planning a general meeting to help tell people what they are trying to achieve and gather support, ideas and funding.

“The more support we can get, the better,” he said.

Independent news outlets like ours – which report for the community without wealthy backers – are under threat of closure, turning Britain’s cities into news deserts.

The public they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

In celebration of him India News WeekThe Public Interest News Foundation’s Indie News Fund will match the fund for all donations, including new June annual supporter subscriptions.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, annual or one-time donation.

Choose the news. Don’t miss the news.

Direct monthly debit

Annual direct debit

£5 a month backers get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 a month backers get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted each month. Annual £50 backers get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else. Annual £84 backers get a hard copy by post and a digital copy of each month before anyone else.

More information about supporting us monthly

More information about donations