Changes have been made to a plan for the building which contains Reading's iconic Black History Mural, but frustrations remain over its long closure.
The Central Club in London Street used to be a focal point for the town's Caribbean community, including those from the Windrush generation, which has been closed since 2006. The building contains the Black History Mural which features artwork of Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, Reading man Terrance Jeff Allamby and other prominent figures.
Development company Red Line is in charge of a project to build 17 flats and a new community hall on the site that was initially approved by Reading Borough Council's planning applications committee last July. The plan for Reading Central Club, which involves replacing it with 17 flats. Credit: Colony Architects
But Red Line made adjustments after that approval, which are due to be decided on by the committee soon. These adjustments involve changes to the housing mix and the relocation of an entrance.
However, changes to the plan inevitably mean a delay to the site being brought back into use. This has led to frustrations from the Caribbean community who have not had a dedicated place to meet for 18 years and counting.
Head of Reading Caribbean Express News, Yvonne Yew, said: "All the other groups have somewhere, whilst we don't have anywhere and it's frustrating.
"The other thing is that it's very worrying that there's nowhere for young people to meet, which leaves them very vulnerable - particularly young men.” Yvonne added: "Women and girls get together, but young men can struggle.
“When the club was open, the young men would talk to elders who could advise them. That happened before when the club was open.
"For somebody to be on the verge of being despondent, they just don't know what to do - the elder men could help them. It's frustrating, we don't have anywhere and don't know which direction to go.
"Even if we had a portacabin with news, information and a place to meet that would be something." Plans for the new building show a community hall being provided, with the Black History Mural to be restored as an essential element of the project.
The development will provide seven one-bed, nine two-bed and three-bed flats. Of those, three one-bed and two two-bed flats will be designated affordable. Changes to the project were decided on at a planning applications committee meeting yesterday (Wednesday, October 2).
