Statement from The Ferry Project and Queen Mary Centre

We are aware of comments circulating on social media regarding the use of the Queen Mary Centre.

To be clear: the Queen Mary Centre is not being converted into a mosque and no group has exclusive use of the building.

The Queen Mary Centre is a community facility managed by The Ferry Project on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council. It exists to serve the whole community and is available for hire by a wide range of local groups, organisations and residents.

Every week, the Centre is used for a diverse range of activities including community events, fitness and wellbeing groups, Citizens Advice, NHS blood donation sessions, training, cultural events, faith groups and local organisations. The Centre has hosted everything from the Fenland Food Festival and Wisbech Brick Show to Fenland Pride, while also providing space for community and voluntary sector services.

Among the many groups that hire space at the Centre are a local Muslim prayer group and a Christian church. These arrangements operate in the same way as other room bookings and form part of the Centre's commitment to serving the broad range of people who make up our community.

No group has exclusive use of the building, all bookings are managed through the same procedures and conditions and no existing activites are being displaced, the Queen Mary Centre remains open, accessible and available to all.

The Queen Mary Centre has always been a place where people come together to access support, learn new skills, celebrate important occasions, participate in community activities and practise their faith and that remains unchanged.

We are proud to provide a welcoming community space for everyone in Wisbech and remain committed to ensuring the Centre continues to be accessible, inclusive and beneficial to the whole community.

We ask that public discussion of this matter remains respectful and based on facts.

We would like to thank all the groups, organisations and residents who continue to support the Queen Mary Centre and the wider community.

Sandra Ferreira - CEO Ferry Project