Black Cultural Archives appoint James Cowper
The Black Cultural Archives has appointed Thames Valley accountants and business advisers James Cowper to provide VAT advice in relation to the creation of a new national centre in Brixton to celebrate UK black cultural heritage.
The appointment follows a £6.5 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to the Cultural Archives to support the regeneration and extension of Raleigh Hall, a Grade 2 listed derelict building in Brixton, creating the new national centre for the charity.
James Cowper has been appointed specifically to provide advice in relation to VAT planning and on the allocation of the Heritage Lottery Fund award.
Vivek Malhotra, Project Director at the BCA said: “We are very pleased to have James Cowper’s VAT team working along side us on this ambitious project. Their understanding of our objectives combined with their in-depth technical knowledge and experience in dealing with VAT issues, charities and HLF funded projects made them the perfect partners to help us push this development forward.”
The Black Cultural Archives (www.bcaheritage.org.uk) was established in 1981 to promote and disseminate black history though exhibitions and learning events. Its archive collection consists of a wide range of materials which will be exhibited in the newly formed National Black Heritage Centre once the project is completed in 2011.
Terry Dockley said: “The BCA will have a complex VAT profile once it is established at Raleigh House, reflecting the wide range of cultural, educational and community activities that they plan to run from this building. They have a number of key decisions to make with a bearing on the VAT treatment of their planned income streams and the liability of the building works to be carried out. In taking their HLF bid to the next stage it is crucial that this exercise is accurately completed and we relish the challenge of working with them to achieve this.”
Terry Dockley, VAT Director, James Cowper LLP, Tel: 01635 35255 or email: tdockley@jamescowper.co.uk
10.06.2009