SOUTHEND Council has defended its decision to ask a jazz centre to vacate the Beecroft Art Gallery after providing it with a free home for seven years.

Carole Mulroney, councillor for environment, culture, and tourism, used an opportunity at the last council meeting of the municipal year to spell out how much support the Jazz Centre UK has been given.

This includes rent free space, plus use of council utilities and council assistance, none of which has been available to other organisations.

Speaking at the meeting on Thursday, she said: “The council has been supportive of the project and generously provided free accommodation in the Beecroft building for over seven years.

“The relationship has been difficult at times, with the gallery operating under council management and the shared space seeing live music and events that are not necessarily consistent with our main offer as a gallery.

“Different cultural behaviours between council staff and jazz centre representatives have inevitably created some friction, but nevertheless we have continued despite these challenges and this has no bearing whatsoever to the council serving notice.”

Ms Mulroney said space was needed in order to properly display many Southend artefacts, which the council is currently paying to keep in storage.

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She added: “The council meets with the jazz centre regularly and for the last two years we have raised the issue of the increasing costs and financial challenges to local authorities. Jazz Centre UK as a charity stated that they did not have funds to pay rent and a formula to contribute through commission on sales items was agreed.

“An initial proposal by the council was rejected and the council lowered the commission amount and a review after a year was agreed. At the end of the first year, £84 was the total commission. During the period of support, the contribution of space and support based on external valuation is £193,000.” 

The jazz centre has been offered alternative space within the gallery which it has turned down.

It is now looking for new premises while under a 12-month notice to leave the Beecroft.

The centre did subsequently offer a rent contribution, which did not cover the costs to the council.