Camden Council’s Planning Committee has unanimously approved plans to develop the historic premises of the London Irish Centre. The Centre, which opened its doors in 1955, has been the Irish heart of London for over 65 years. The new Centre will enable the London Irish Centre to grow and diversify its award-winning community services and cultural programmes.
Responding to the welcome news, CEO Ellen Ryan said:
"This is fantastic news.The new Centre is needed now more than ever, as we grow and develop our social, community and cultural offering.
We worked with the local community on the plans for the Centre, and their views are represented throughout the design. We will continue to work with them as we develop a sustainable building for the future.
We are particularly delighted to consolidate our roots in Camden. The Borough is a place of great significance to the Irish in London and we are very pleased to be investing in its future here.
Covid-19 has brought challenges, but we have managed to pivot to deliver some of our services online or in different ways. In the longer-term, we would like to move towards a hybrid model of a redeveloped centre, along with enhanced online programmes and services."