Whitgift Foundation Completes Sale of the Old Palace Site on Melville Avenue to BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) has completed the purchase of the Old Palace nursery and prep school site on Melville Avenue, paving the way for investment to refurbish and repurpose the facilities for both academic and community use. With a long-standing commitment to serving local communities, BAPS aims to revitalise the site into a thriving hub for education, sports, and social initiatives.
Headquartered from the iconic BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in north-west London – popularly known as ‘Neasden Temple’, BAPS has been actively involved across south London for over four decades, hiring local facilities around Croydon to carry out its community led activities.
The acquisition of the Old Palace site provides an opportunity to expand these initiatives, offering much-needed facilities for its local users. The organisation’s investment will not only breathe new life into the site but also contribute positively to the surrounding area.
Dr Mayank Shah, a Trustee for BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha said: “We are excited to invest in and secure the future of this site, restoring its role as a place of learning and community spirit. For many years, we have supported our members and local communities through our programs, and this new space allows us to expand our services and create an inclusive, welcoming environment for all.”
Roisha Hughes, Chief Executive of John Whitgift Foundation, said: ‘We are very pleased to confirm the sale of the former site of Old Palace prep school to BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS). The decision to close Old Palace senior and prep schools was an exceptionally difficult one, but we are pleased that the new buyer will be using the site for educational and community use. BAPS already have a presence in Croydon and we wish them the very best in their new base in Melville Avenue.’
About BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) is an international community-based Hindu fellowship affiliated to the United Nations, dedicated to the spiritual, cultural and social uplift of our world.
In the UK, BAPS is respected as one of the largest and most active Hindu communities in the country. It is particularly known for its multifarious community outreach activities and the internationally acclaimed BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, London – popularly known as ‘Neasden Temple’.
To learn more about BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha and Neasden Temple, please visit baps.org and neasdentemple.org.