The Friends of Water Lane Hall

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Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from The Friends of Water Lane Hall, Nonprofit Organization, 18 Water Lane, Bishop's Stortford.

On a mission to save Water Lane Hall and create a Community Arts Hub in Bishop’s Stortford
Crowdfunder here: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-water-lane-hall

28/10/2026

A few of our team down at the hall today meeting with East Herts Council officers and members, and having a good chat about our vision. We have lots of ideas for what the space could become!

We talked about rehearsal space, performances, spaces for classes and meetings, groups and so much more - all in this historic building in the centre of Bishop’s Stortford.

Legalities are still to be worked through before we can transfer the building to community ownership, but it’s always great to discuss our vision for a community arts hub in Bishop’s Stortford.

Every meeting feels like one step closer ❤️

04/10/2026

Thank you SO MUCH to Vida Wellness Club for holding a Water Lane Hall fundraiser and raising an amazing £360!

These are the kinds of events we really need and are incredibly grateful for. Thank you so much again ❤️

24/09/2026

80% of local people responded to a survey in favour of turning Water Lane Hall into a Community Arts Hub...

East Herts Council Executive has formally approved up to £22,500 in legal support to progress the community asset transfer of Water Lane Hall.

But now we, The Friends of Water Lane Hall, have a duty to inform you that we are actively pushing back against a key condition of the deal: the inclusion of 11 parking spaces for the Water Lane United Reformed Church (URC) within the transferred title.

We want to be entirely clear that we are fighting the inclusion of the 11 URC parking spaces as part of the deal. Cramming these spaces right outside our planned entrance compromises public safety, blocks fire exits, and creates severe accessibility hurdles.

The council report outlines that the council has explored with URC the provision of these parking spaces elsewhere, and that Northgate End multi-storey has been offered as an alternative. However ‘this does not suit URC needs and is not something they wish to pursue.’

There has been no further information publicly about why this alternative does not suit URC’s needs. Officers therefore intend to create a 100-year lease for the URC right in front of the new planned entrance to Water Lane Hall.

However, the Friends of Water Lane Hall maintains that this setup is fundamentally incompatible with running a safe and accessible community arts venue, and intends to use this next preparatory phase to challenge how access, safety, and the URC parking footprint are handled.

The upcoming work will also review the terms for releasing the Council’s £170,000 earmarked maintenance grant, which is currently subject to the CIC meeting match-funding milestones. Separately, roofers have started assessing temporary works to stop water pouring into the Hall while the legal discussions continue.

We need community support to get this one over the line! Please help by attending our various fund-raisers, or get involved, or write to your local paper or write to your local councillor.

19/09/2026

Yesterday we met with a roofing contractor to talk about a temporary repair to the roof.

We need this repair to prevent water ingress and further internal damage - and while this isn’t a long term solution, it’s something we must do before wet and cold weather fully kick in, and while we are waiting for the legalities of the property transfer from East Herts Council to our Community Interest Company.

Without funds raised so far, this type of repair would be impossible; and we’re happy to be taking action!

In the meantime, any updates to the property ownership situation will be shared here 👌🏻

Again, any legal assistance would be much appreciated.

10/09/2026

This week some of our team attended Executive meeting in which councillors discussed the legal transfer of Water Lane Hall - in - to the Water Lane Community Arts Studio CIC (also known as The Friends of Water Lane Hall - us!)

The council unanimously approved legal costs on their side to draw up agreements to transfer ownership.

This is a huge step in the right direction.

BUT - we’d love to have some legal support for Water Lane Community Arts Studio CIC too, which is important to have on both sides for such a transfer.

If you can help or provide some legal support in any way, please get in touch with us. We’d love the transfer to happen as quickly and smoothly as possible so that we can get on with making repairs, and opening the hall for business!

We know so many of you are keen to use it ❤️

04/09/2026

💃🏻🕺*COME AND DANCE WITH US FOR A GREAT CAUSE!*🕺💃

Vida Wellness Club is bringing together four fabulous instructors for a brilliant Charity Dancethon to help save the historic Water Lane Hall in the centre of

Come and enjoy two hours of music, movement, laughter and feel-good energy - all while helping us raise money to help Water Lane Hall reopen its doors 😊

📅 Sunday 27th September
⏰ 2.30pm–4.30pm
📍 St Michael’s Mead Community Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 4FZ

🎟 *EARLY BIRD £12*
👉 https://buy.stripe.com/5kQ7sMf1KaxE2n0fS96g81L

🎟 *ON THE DOOR £15*
Cash or card

We’d love you to grab your £12 Early Bird ticket and help us make this a packed, joyful afternoon! 🙌

No need to be an expert dancer - just come along, bring water, move, have fun and enjoy yourself. 💃

Bring your friends, bring your family and let’s fill the hall. Let’s dance to save Water Lane Hall! 💃❤️🕺

02/09/2026

A statement from us, following very positive movement on Water Lane Hall from East Herts Council.

We look forward to the Executive Meeting next Tuesday and hearing how we can work together to ensure the remaining issues are resolved.

18/08/2026

Our team had a great time chatting to the great and the good of down at Bandstand Acoustic this weekend!

Thank you to Bish Bash Festival for supporting us in our quest and to all of you who donated and talked to us!

The summer has been a little quieter as it always is with holidays slowing things up - but holidays are good for everyone too. We’ve worked hard to get to this point and hope to accelerate things in September starting with the transfer of ownership to our CIC.

This kind of transfer is complicated, and can take time. But we must expedite repairs to our roof before we start to see rain again.

All of your support helps so much. You can still donate to the cause via GoodHub - the link is in our bio! Thank you ❤️

01/08/2026

We’ll be down at the Bandstand Acoustic on 15th and 16th August with our Water Lane Hall team - if you’re coming, please say hi!

We can’t wait to listen to more local musical talent at Sworders Field 🎶☀️

Don’t forget if you’re able to donate to help us reopen Water Lane Hall, follow the links for our fundraisers in our bio or here:

https://www.goodhub.com/go/waterlanecic

Address

18 Water Lane
Bishops Stortford
CM232JZ

Website

http://Waterlanehall.org/, https://www.goodhub.com/go/waterlanecic, http://form.typeform.com/to/jHoptbx3

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