Issue - meetings

The Board RECEIVED two deputations - in response to APPCT CEO’s October letter to tenants around the Masterplan for the Grove and the Trust offering lease extensions to 2027 and then on an annual 12 month rolling basis.

The Board noted that Jason Jenkins - Little Dinosaurs Leaseholder had put forward a deputation requisition, in accordance with CSO 29, wanting to make representations on:

-       The impact and reality of recent events from the tenant’s perspective.

-       Realistic and manageable proposals to the Board for consideration prior to a third party company being engaged.

-       Seeking clarity on the preferred intentions of APPCT around the Grove plans.

Mr Jenkins was invited to make his deputation and expressed the following:

-       When he first took the business forward in the vacant building, it had been derelict and was now a vibrant indoor and outdoor play space welcoming 1500 users a week.

-       In his view, the soft play facility had mental health benefits and the business had received positive feedback about being a lifeline for many local groups and was a safe place for children to play.

-       There was no other soft play facility in Haringey that offered the indoor and outdoor fenced off play.

-       That Little Dinosaurs was still in the early stages, a start-up business, and had not planned beyond 2029.

-       During the pandemic, took forward business plan and applied for investment in this business. This was in discussion with the CEO of AP at the time.

-       During initial negotiations a restriction was placed on the maximum number of years a tenancy could be in place but the then CEO had advised that unusual a tenancy to not be renewed.

-       Needed a longer extension than 2027 to allow business to be future proofed

-       The 12-month rolling lease would not work, as events and parties, which kept the business afloat, were booked often a year in advance.

-       Crippling energy costs and need time to recover from Covid closures.

-       Hoped to continue working partnership with the Trust

-       Mr Jenkins expressed that if the board decided Little Dinosaurs could not indefinitely remain, which was his preferred choice, he sought a much improved term than 2027 to allow for a properly managed exit (which 2027 certainly would not).    

NOTED in response to Board Member questions from Mr Jenkins:

-       That all repairs, maintenance, fixtures, and fittings were the responsibility of the tenant as per the lease.

-       Invested life savings as a start-up and then through Covid he had reinvested through a bounce back loan. He was now at the crucial point of deciding whether to invest the remainder of the business loan in making this a first class facility.

-       The provision had a fenced in garden and contained an indoor and outdoor activity centre for children up to the age of 9 years old with parents, grandparents and carers.

-       -Not informed verbally or in writing by the Trust that the lease  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5