Businesses in old Raleigh office building asked to leave due to fire safety risk

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The Howitt Building (Historic England)

By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter

Community groups and companies have been asked to leave a Nottingham business centre because of fire safety risks.

Organisations at the Howitt Building on Lenton Boulevard, now known as the Lenton Business Centre, have been served notice without warning by Nottingham City Council.

The council manages the site, which is currently home to a number of businesses, as well as the Marcus Garvey Day Centre.

The Marcus Garvey Centre offers services for older African and Caribbean people living with dementia, physical, sensory, or mental health disabilities.

A Nottingham City Council spokesperson said: “Following a recent review of the Fire Risk Assessment at Lenton Business Centre, we have had to make the difficult but necessary decision to close the Howitt and Lenton Business Centre 1 buildings.

“We fully understand the impact this will have on businesses, and we want to assure tenants that this decision has not been taken lightly. However, ensuring the safety of everyone in the centre must remain our top priority.

“Until the survey work is complete, we are unable to continue accommodating businesses within these buildings.

“The council is committed to working closely with affected businesses to provide support and minimise disruption as much as possible. We will keep all tenants informed of the survey results and any future decisions regarding the site.”

The building, originally built as Raleigh’s head office, was built in 1931, having been designed by the distinguished Nottingham architect T Cecil Howitt.

It was sold to Nottingham City Council in the late 1980s.

The Marcus Garvey Centre has been contacted for comment.

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