The award-winning Chinese Youth Orchestra will be transferred to a new home at the Pagoda Community Centre on Henry Street.

Liverpool City Council’s cabinet is being asked to approve a 30-year lease at a peppercorn rent for the centre to Pagoda Arts which has run activities at the site since 2011 and, as well as the orchestra, provides health and well-being services for the Chinese community.

The centre’s activities include music, Tai Chi, dance, nursery, translation service for Chinese speakers, social welfare and immigration advice, study groups, Chinese local history, badminton, food hygiene training and various Chinese culture workshops.

Councillor Steve Munby, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, says: “I am really pleased by this proposal. It is good for Pagoda Arts, good for the Chinese community and good for the council.”

The council receives an annual rent of £13,500 however the cost to the authority in maintenance expenses is £60,000 a year.

Cllr Munby adds: “In reality it formalises the current position. Although the building is owned by the council it has been operated by Pagoda Arts for some time – by leasing it, it means they can apply for grants which are not now available to them and we will help them with any bids they wish to make.

“This is a great example of partnership working between the council and the voluntary sector which will be of long-term benefit for the city’s Chinese Community.”

Zi Lan Liao, director of Pagoda Arts, says: “I am grateful for the efforts of both Liverpool City Council and the Pagoda Arts committee. Both parties have worked hard to find a workable solution to the long-term maintenance and administration issues in regard to the Pagoda Centre premises.

“We are delighted that the Pagoda Centre will be able to remain, for the foreseeable future, in China Town, serving both Liverpool’s Chinese community, as well as the wider community of inner city Liverpool.”

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