By Ryan Sands
A COMMUNITY rights charity has warned that any sale of the former Kilkeel Town Hall would “prioritise an immediate financial return over the building’s long-term value to the local community”.
Development Trusts NI, a ‘member-led network empowering communities through collective ownership, sustainable enterprise and advocacy for community rights’, made this claim in response to the one-time home of the Vogue Cinema being made available for purchase on the open market for £120,000.
In April, the council’s Strategy, Policy and Resources Committee voted 9-3 in closed session to continue ‘the open market process to achieve the best price’ for the B2 listed Newry Street property.
This was ratified at a full local authority meeting the following month, though further discussion on the matter was held – again in closed session – after a proposal was made and seconded respectively by Mournes DUP representatives Henry Reilly and Glyn Hanna.
A 28-5 vote ultimately saw the committee’s open market recommendation rubberstamped.
In a Development Trusts NI statement, the body’s CEO, Charlie Fisher, said that “the proposed commercial sale of the former Vogue Cinema in Kilkeel represents a missed opportunity for community ownership, local regeneration and community wealth building”.
“Kilkeel Development Association (KDA) invested considerable time in exploring a community asset transfer,” he continued.
“While its eventual business proposal may not have demonstrated sufficient sustainability, we should understand why it was unsuccessful and whether the group received the support necessary to develop a viable plan.
“Community ownership could have opened access to funding sources, such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund.”
Mr Fisher added that “an enlightened approach would have explored community-public, community-private or combined partnerships before prioritising an open market sale”.
“Although the council has a duty to secure value, value should not be measured solely by the £120,000 asking price,” he concluded.
“The building’s potential contribution to local enterprise, employment, heritage and placemaking should also form part of that calculation.
“Because the decision was discussed in closed session, the public has limited insight into the options considered.
“The council should explain whether alternative ownership and partnership models were fully explored before this important local asset was placed on the market.”
