Tenants and community groups in Nottingham are calling for an urgent meeting with city officials after being given just 28 days to vacate the Lenton Business Centre due to fire safety concerns.
Nottingham City Council, which manages the site, issued notices to all tenants following a fire risk assessment that identified issues with fire doors. The decision affects around 60 businesses and organisations, including the Marcus Garvey Day Centre, which provides services to the Afro-Caribbean community, particularly the Windrush generation.
A meeting was held on February 11, where affected tenants agreed to send a formal letter to the council, highlighting the closure’s severe financial and operational consequences. Businesses argue that the short notice period makes relocation nearly impossible and have requested full transparency regarding the fire inspection findings. They also call for suspending the notice period while exploring alternative solutions.
Some tenants have expressed willingness to fund necessary repairs if they can remain in the building. In addition to the letter, campaigners have launched a petition, “Save The Marcus Garvey Centre—Protect Nottingham’s Cultural Heart,” led by the Black Community Action Group.
Nottingham City Council has stated that the decision was made with safety as the top priority and that businesses will be informed of plans once further survey work is completed.
