The repair and refurbishment of the home of the Brixton Immortals Domino Club on Coldharbour Lane is nearing completion following a £1.4million Lambeth council investment in the Grade II listed building, which has also been home to the Brixton Soup Kitchen.
The important community centre has housed the domino club since the 1980s and the building will soon re-open its doors for its members, as well as the Soup Kitchen which has been sharing the building since 2015.
Originally called the Brixton Sports and Social Club, the community centre was established after the 1981 Brixton Uprising when the listed building was given to the local community following the recommendations of the Scarman report.
The Immortals domino club itself has a long history having previously been based in Acre Lane and the Atlantic pub, now the Dogstar.
Cllr Donatus Anyanwu, council cabinet member for stronger communities, leisure and sports, said: “We have supported the Brixton Immortals Domino Club and Brixton Soup Kitchen during the temporary closure of the community centre for urgent structural work, and much needed refurbishment, in recognition of their value to our communities.
“I’m delighted that the work is almost now done and we can welcome them back on new terms that will give them the secure future they need to continue serving our communities.”
Mervin Stewart, chair of Brixton Immortals Ltd, said the organisation “will always be grateful to Lambeth council for the investment it has made in this historic and culturally important community building.
“The refurbishment will allow the Brixton Immortals Domino Club to grow as a community social club, and work with its partners, including the Brixton Soup Kitchen, to support local people.”
The council and the occupants of the building have previously worked with The Ubele Initiative social enterprise to support the building’s day-to-day management and community outreach as part of a push to establishing its financial sustainability.
As part of its voluntary and community sector asset strategy, Lambeth council will enter into a lease with Brixton Immortals Ltd to safeguard the future community use of the building.
