A Halifax community centre will close tomorrow – and there are still no answers as to what will happen to the building.

Calderdale Council is yet to explain why it is no longer considering a bid from North Halifax Partnership (NHP) to take over Mixenden Activity Centre (MAC) – a decision which has led to the centre shutting.

Nor has the council said who will take over the building once NHP leaves or when it might reopen.

Mixenden is one of the most deprived parts of Halifax and there has been much dismay from residents and some local councillors over the community centre’s closure.

placeholder image — Mixenden Activity Centre.

NHP has posted: “We’re doing all we can to work with all valued partners and help groups explore alternative venues, so local people can continue to enjoy the activities and connections that matter to them.

"NHP's activities at MAC may be coming to an end, but our commitment to the people of Mixenden will continue.”

As reported previously by the Courier, NHP had been running the centre since it reopened last year and was working with the council when Labour was in charge on a bid to take over permanently via a community asset transfer.

But earlier this month NHP said it had been informed that a “political decision” had been made at the now Reform-run council not to proceed with the proposed transfer.

"We need to return the keys to the building by Friday, November 20,” NHP posted.

"Sadly, the time required to relocate staff and services, move equipment and clear the premises, means we must bring activities to a close in time for that deadline."

Halifax’s MP Kate Dearden has written to council leader Daniel Sutherland – who is also a ward councillor for Mixenden and Illingworth – asking him to explain why the transfer was blocked and set out the council’s plans for securing the centre’s long-term future.

The Courier asked Calderdale Council for information about MAC’s future – and the decision made not to let NHP carry on running it – two weeks ago, but has yet to receive a response.

The only public council comment relating to the decision has been from Illingworth and Mixenden’s ward councillors – Coun Sutherland, Nikki Kelly and Andrew Tagg – who are all Reform members.

They have urged people to “please be assured, as soon as the licence agreement ends and the keys are handed back, Mixenden Activity Centre will be open for use by the local community, as it should be”.

But they have not said how this will happen, who will be running the centre or provided any other details.