Callout for groups to manage community centre

Portobello Community Centre, on Hill Road in Willenhall, has been vacant since the previous community association left in December 2023

Groups and organisations are being urged to apply to manage a community centre owned by City of Wolverhampton Council.

Portobello Community Centre on Hill Road in Willenhall has been vacant since the previous community association left in December 2023.

The council said it remained committed to exploring all options to ensure the building was retained for community use.

It wants interested parties to submit expressions of interest by 31 May that either involve taking on the centre through a community asset transfer or by leasing it as a community association.

The site contains an activities hall with 75-person capacity, lounge, playroom, meeting room, kitchen, storage, office space and toilets.

The council warned applicants it was a commitment requiring resources and finance and proposals would be assessed for viability and sustainability to ensure the successful organisation was able to deliver valuable services to the community.

Councillor Paula Brookfield said: "I would urge people to come forward with their proposals or simply have a conversation with us about what is possible.

"We have numerous examples of community asset transfers in recent times that have had a positive impact on communities and we are supportive of the work community associations do.

"Both routes enable new and innovative means of local service delivery that bring benefits to our communities and contribute towards the council's aims and objectives."

Anyone interested should contact the council for more information.