ePetition details

We the undersigned petition the council to For over 40 years, the Marcus Garvey Centre, Ballroom & Day Centre has stood as a beacon of cultural pride, unity, and empowerment for Nottingham’s Afro-Caribbean, African, South Asian, and wider diverse communities. It has been a vital hub where elders, young people, and families have gathered to celebrate heritage, foster connections, and support one another. However, its future is now under serious threat. Despite its profound historical and social significance, Nottingham City Council has failed in its duty to protect this essential institution. Instead of ensuring its continued success, the Council has imposed restrictive barriers that prevent vital repairs and services. Even more concerning are indications that the Council is seeking to sell the property, putting at risk the well-being of vulnerable groups, including the elderly of the Windrush Generation, and jeopardising a cherished community cornerstone. We the undersigned request the City Council to undertake the fo

Following a recent fire risk assessment Nottingham City Council closed the Marcus Garvey Centre abruptly due to so-called fire safety concerns, yet to be assessed by a surveyor.It is well known that the site and buildings within have not had a fire risk assessment for many years and it is unfair that instead of seeking to collaborate with the tenants of the centre to carry out repairs (even with a contribution from tenants), the council has opted to remove the tenants from the building completely; in the process patronising Nottingham citizens and the community.

The stated estimated cost of repairs for the centre ranges between £200,000 and £300,000, which includes the replacement of 248 fire doors. However, written information originating from the council, as reported by the Nottingham Post, includes an intention to sell the site including the centre within one year.

The tenants, citizens of Nottingham City and beyond are disappointed to learn of this tactic being employed to remove tenants and end their tenancies.

We believe that the fire risk assessment is being used as an excuse to sell the site rather than for the City Council to fulfil its statutory obligations, including agreeing a remedial plan for repair and improvements at the centre together with the tenants and/or public consultation before the removal of tenants should the Council’s intention of selling be pursued.

The key reason why this action by Nottingham City Council is being perceived as an excuse is that the building has not had a fire risk assessment for many years and the assessment conveniently coincides with the councils plans to sell off their assets.

We are also aware that this tactic is being deployed to other assets that the Council owns including city-based community centres.

It would be a shame to see other community centre tenants removed from their building under the same premise that the Marcus Garvey ones have been removed.

Therefore this petition is being brought forward to ensure that the Marcus Garvey Centre and whole Howitt Building site (aka Lenton Business Centre) situated at Lenton Boulevard, Nottingham NG7 2BY is safeguarded.

Started by: Richard Buckwell

This ePetition ran from 19/02/2025 to 21/03/2025 and has now finished.

Nobody signed this ePetition.