Plan to rejuvenate historic African Caribbean Culture Centre

A historic cultural centre that fell into disrepair under council ownership could be given new life.

Stewart Wellington, a child of Jamaican immigrants, plans to reopen a 1980s cultural centre in Wood Green, London as the African Caribbean Cultural Centre.

He and his partners have acquired the land in Haringey and plan to build a 14-storey building, as well as 30 new affordable homes.

Haringey Council says it wants to redevelop the former West Indian Cultural Centre (WICC) itself, but admits it failed to maintain the building.

But Wellington told The Guardian its refurbishment would cost at least £250,000.

"The council may say it’s committed to redeveloping the centre with the WICC. But the WICC is already committed to partnering with our venture. We own a contiguous site, which the council doesn’t own, which forms part of our proposals."