THE Coventry Irish Society has moved to new rent-free premises as it continues to find ways to secure a future amidst crippling budget cuts.
Although based in Hill Street for the past 14 years, the organisation is now located at the Coventry Point building in Market Way in the city centre.
The charity, which lost its annual £30,000 funding grant from Coventry City Council in 2013, is expecting to face further funding cuts this year.
But the premises move allows them some respite, with the location secured under the Community Centric Projects programme, offering free rent, utilities and business rates.
However they may only be in the new location for two years, after which point the building is due to be demolished.
“Our move has been secured by Community Centric Projects,” CIS Manager Simon McCarthy confirmed to The Irish Post today.
“It is a city centre location that is rent, utilities and business rates free, in a building which is listed for demolition, but this will not be for at least 2 years.”
He added: “The Society is still under huge financial pressure, however this move gives us the opportunity to regroup after we could no longer afford our rent in Hill Street, where the Society has been located for 14 years.
“And whilst it is sad to have to leave Hill Street, our new offices are modern and more user-friendly, offering better access for people with disabilities, for example.”
The organisation, which took on its new premises on July 1, is still in need of support from the community to continue to provide vital health and welfare services for thousands of vulnerable Irish people around the city.
“In anticipation of a further cut in funding this year, the Society, in the short term, will rely more on volunteers to keep the office open on a full time basis,” Mr McCarthy revealed.
“So we are still looking for support from the Irish community and especially the Irish business community,” he added.
The Coventry Irish Society is now located at Unit 1, 11th Floor, Coventry Point, Market Way, Coventry CV1 1EA. Its phone number remains the same on 02476 256629.
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