HIRSCHFELD CENTRE
Latest news regarding the Hirschfeld Centre is that the insurance claim is being contested.
Shortly after Easter a sum was offered by the insurance company to Hirschfeld Enterprises Ltd., the Centre's holding company. This figure was not acceptable and a loss assessor has been working to achieve an adequate settlement for the reinstatement of the building and its contents.
The Hirshfeld Centre has been closed for the past seven months since a fire destroyed the ground and first floors of the building. The building hasn't been in use in that time.
An insurance official unconnected with the Centre’s claim, who did not wish to be named, told GCN that claims of comparable size and complexity usually took up to three years to settle. However, in the Centre's case a claim would be effected sooner rather than later, the official said, because of the consequential loss factor (i.e. loss of profits).
Notwithstanding the hassle for the various groups and organisations which had to vacate the Hirschfeld Centre after the fire last November, the Centre's loss has been most keenly felt at the social/ entertainment level.
Pub-goers complain of nowhere to go after closing time and yearn for the return of a major entertainment venue such as the Hirschfeld Centre (and in particular Flikkers Dance Club) was justifiably famous for in its eight year history.
The National Gay Federation, which managed the Hirshfeld Centre up to its closure, is still looking for a venue from which to run even the odd, once-a-week fundraising dance night. Its attempts have been met with a certain amount of hostility and prejudice but members of the NGF's Administrative Council remain optimistic.