Closure of the Haringey Irish Cultural and Community Centre

In early July, the council was informed that the Haringey Irish Cultural and Community Centre and its trading subsidiary had entered into voluntary liquidation.

The Haringey Irish Centre, as it is known, has for many years offered a range of services to local residents including, information and advice, a luncheon club and day services, both directly and through a number of organisations which occupy the premises.

The Centre itself is also used as an events venue, hosting large wakes, receptions, baptisms and other family celebrations, which have been sources of income along with income on match days from both car parking charges and bar sales.

However, these activities have not been possible during lockdown and, as a result of the pandemic, the Centre has seen a significant loss of the income streams, which has unfortunately contributed to the current situation. 

The Council is the freeholder of the Centre, a charity, and its trading subsidiary, which occupy a community building and site on a 20-year lease with no rent payable which was due to expire in 2027.

The Council is committed to exploring different options to maintain the services that were delivered at the Irish Centre and to supporting the other tenants in the building, which we see as a community asset for the borough.

Cllr Mark Blake, Cabinet Member for Communities and Equalities, said:

“Sadly, the Haringey Irish Centre has gone into liquidation, and we fully appreciate the distress the closure has caused to the staff who worked at the centre and the residents who relied on it for support.

“Work was undertaken to explore a merger with other organisations, this was, however, unsuccessful owing to current circumstances. 

“We recognise the significant impact that the Covid-19 pandemic is having on our local community infrastructure, which can be reliant on income from activities which have not been possible during lockdown and which appears to be the case here.

“The council had no representatives on the trustee board. However, since being informed of the liquidation we are seeking to support residents who have been receiving support, information and advice from the Centre and to keep the other tenants in the building, to ensure that residents continue to have access to the services that they need.”