A much-loved community building could be coming home.

Huddersfield’s African and African-Caribbean community has taken a major step towards taking back its “spiritual home” – the HUDAWI Centre in Great Northern Street.

Kirklees Council announced last year that it would sell off the building if no community groups wanted to take it on.

Last November community leaders urged councillors to support them in a community asset transfer, meaning the building would be handed over for free if the council was satisfied the group had a viable business plan and the skills to take it forward.

Now a group called The HUDAWI Consortium has confirmed the asset transfer is on track with the council having approved the first stage known as an ‘expression of interest.’

The HUDAWI Centre – its name was shortened from the Huddersfield African and West Indian Community Centre – was originally run by the Huddersfield Caribbean Association.

A previous building on the site, the former Beaumont Street School, was destroyed by fire in 1993 and was replaced by the current building.

Some years ago the council took over the management of the building and it’s been used for internal council meetings and rooms have been hired out for events.

Due to financial pressures the council announced the disposal or sale of several properties including the DRAM Centre in Dalton, the former Paddock Youth Centre in Paddock and the former Almondbury Carnegie Library.

An asset transfer was being investigated for the DRAM Centre but the council rejected an asset transfer bid for the library from Almondbury Carnegie Friends, meaning the building is now up for auction with a guide price of £150,000.

The Paddock Youth Centre, which was said to need £1 million in repairs, is also going under the hammer this month with a guide price of £400,000-plus.

The HUDAWI Consortium, however, is hopeful of being successful after what it described as a “rigorous competitive process and determined effort.”

The consortium is made up of the following organisations:

  • The Black Business Support Agency (BBSA)
  • Building African Caribbean Communities (BACC)
  • Black Lives Coalition
  • The Alliance of Black Churches in Huddersfield
  • Education 2000
  • Oasis Care Support Services

Consortium spokesman Dominic Pinnock said: “If successful on the second stage of the application process, we will be able to assume full responsibility for the building including entering into a long-term lease of a maximum of 125 years. This will secure the future of the centre for the African and African-Caribbean community and residents.

“This historic achievement marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Huddersfield’s African and African-Caribbean communities and the diverse communities that live within Kirklees, as the HUDAWI Centre’s true purpose – providing a spiritual, cultural and social home – comes closer to realisation.

“The consortium, which represents a diverse cross-section of Huddersfield’s African and African-Caribbean organisations, was formed in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests and during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Our collective skills and experience will now be directed toward developing a vibrant and inclusive community hub that will meet the cultural, educational and social needs of the community.”

Mr Pinnock said as the plans progressed there would be further public consultations which would allow the wider community a say in the future of the centre.

Anyone who wants to find out more can contact the consortium directly on info@hudawi.org.uk