We are proud to be home to a thriving African-Caribbean community in Haringey and understand their frustration that this space isn’t currently operating to its full potential as a community hub.
My Cabinet Members and I are committed to playing our part in supporting the African Caribbean Cultural Centre (ACCC) and its community to return to the site in a thriving cultural asset..
We’re working jointly in tandem with the ACCC on a feasibility study for the works required to the centre and we’ve shown them alternative facilities and venues from where they can run their activities. This will include modular facilities on the WICC site, given its unique location in the borough, which serves many communities.
The ACCC is producing a three-year programme and we’re keen to explore how best we can support their schedule as Haringey gears up to be the London Borough of Culture 2027.
We’ll work with the Haringey Community Collaborative (HCC) on the development of the business case and feasibility study, with both pieces of work feeding into a long-term solution for the building.
Both the ACCC and the council are acutely aware of the condition of the current building and the significant costs of repair. However, we’re jointly committed to the facilities staying on the site and are working on the best possible solution.
In terms of the centre’s cultural legacy, we have proposed working in partnership with the ACCC and the Bruce Castle Museum and Archive team to curate and protect the archive and library materials that are currently on site.
These historical documents are extremely important to Haringey as they provide a rich narrative and context to the contributions our African Caribbean and West Indian residents have made – and continue to make – in this borough.
