Angry users of a community advice service feel “underhanded” methods are being used by Enfield Council as it faces closure.

The Federation of Enfield Community Associations (FECA), which has operated from Mottingham Road, Edmonton, since 1972, is currently in a court battle with the council over its future.

In April 2015 FECA’s previous tenancy agreement was ended, and despite months of negotiations they were told at the start of this year the council wanted to repossess their site.

A court battle began on April 2016 and is ongoing, but FECA appear to have significant public support, with over 4,000 people signing petitions asking for the group to keep operating.

The council said they are unable to comment due to the active court proceedings.

Mark Bellas, who has worked at FECA since 1995, said they offer advice to anyone who needs it on everything from debt and housing, to paying taxes and claiming benefits.

He said they had previously been paying £2,000 a month, and FECA had contacted the council’s letting agents saying they were happy to pay more in order to stay – but had not been contacted again until December 2015, when they were told the council intended to claim back the land.

He said: “We have had ongoing issues for a long time, there has been such an underhanded method used.

“We are here to help people, we have a team dedicated to it, teaching people to manage their money.”

Vicky Dungate, chairman of FECA, said they were the only organisation to offer face to face advice, rather than over the phone or online, and there would be nowhere else for people to go if they disappeared.

She said: “If the council want to close us down, they have to replace us. The service otherwise will be completely impersonal.

“To have so many people signing their support is comforting, we have had backing from councillors, people who have never used us, lots of people.”

Many of FECA’s users came to their headquarters to speak about the impact it has had on their lives.

Patrick Drysdale said he had been directed to FECA after suffering a “mental breakdown”, and faced eviction from his council house after falling behind on his rent.

Mr Drysdale, from Bush Hill Park, said: “They never took into account my circumstances, it was ruthless.

“FECA got me the benefits I required, they worked donkeys’ hours for it. Were it not for FECA, I would be a mentally ill person on the streets.

“If this place closes, so many people are up the creek without a paddle. In a manner of speaking, FECA saved my life.”

Jamie Turner, from Edmonton, said FECA stepped in and helped him get backdated benefits for his blind mother after they were refused five times.

He said: “They are really good, so helpful. We would be knackered without them; the service really would be missed.”

Enfield Council spokesperson Suzanne Linsey said: “There are two active live court cases involving FECA currently before the courts and under judicial consideration. As such the council is unable to comment at this time.”