DEMOLITION work on a building at the heart of the town’s Carribean community has begun.

The Ipswich Star previously revealed Ipswich Borough Council’s intentions to tear down the Ipswich Carribean Association (ICA) building in Woodbridge Road.

And despite campaigners speaking out against the decision, the demolition work has begun and the venue is now slowly being ripped down.

The site, which is owned by the borough, is set to be transformed into a car park, which would run as an extension to the one in Dobden Road.

A spokesman for the borough council said the demolition work was going well. He added: “We hope the car park, which will have 65 spaces, will be open later this year.”

The club, which hit the headlines in December 2009 following a shooting during a music event, was forced to close in 2010 after the council withdrew financial support.

Albert Grant, a councillor for Whitehouse and founder of the association in 1975, had previously told of his upset at the councils decision.

He said: “It is very sad that they want to demolish the building.

“It is at the heart of our community.”

Mr Grant, who was awarded an OBE for his work in community relations, said the demolition of the building – home to the ICA since 1980 – would impact people of all races.

n What do you think about the decision to knock down the venue? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN.