Grade two listed events space business enters administration

Unity House, a Wakefield grade two listed multi-use space which hosts meetings, conferences and live entertainment, has gone into administration.

Unity House (Wakefield) Limited, trading as Unity Works, is a registered Community Benefit Society which works with the local community and uses its assets to re-invest back into supporting and raising awareness of mental health and wellbeing.  The company was set up in 2011 and has eight permanent staff.

Unity Works has been unable to generate sufficient income and, due to ongoing funding requirements, it has not been possible to restructure the business.  The board, therefore, made the decision to place the business into administration.

Its operations have ceased with immediate effect and all events have been cancelled although existing tenants will continue granted use of the building under the terms of their occupation.  One member of staff has been retained to manage the existing tenants, but the other staff have been made redundant.

Lee Lockwood and Bob Maxwell of Begbies Traynor in Leeds have been appointed as joint administrator. They are seeking a buyer for the company’s long leasehold interest in the building.

Lockwood said: “Over the last five years, the company, supported by a number of external organisations, has achieved its primary purpose of completing a high standard renovation of the iconic Unity Works in the centre of Wakefield which has also led to the regeneration of the surrounding area.

“Unfortunately, the current operation of the building has proved to be unviable and there was no option but to place the business into administration.  It is very sad to see the end of this facility in its current format and the loss of these jobs.  Our priority is now to find a buyer for the company’s long leasehold interest in the building so that we can recover what we can on behalf of the creditors.”