A VOLUNTEER-led jazz charity is in “jeopardy” as Southend Council moves to remove it from its home of eight years.

The Jazz Centre UK (TJCUK) has operated from the lower ground of the Beecroft Gallery free of charge since 2016.

But now the council has asked the charit to find a new home with 12 months’ notice – a move which charity bosses say may threaten its future.

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“We are very grateful for the support the council has given us since we opened our doors in 2016,” Gareth Evans, chair of the trustees of The Jazz Centre UK, said.

“However, we are disappointed at its sudden decision to ask us to leave the Beecroft and find a new home. This decision puts TJCUK in some jeopardy.

“We will do everything we can, with the council’s ongoing support, to find a new home in Southend that can deliver our vision of a national centre of excellence for jazz, embracing education, outreach and performance.”

Over the years, the charity – which boasts Jools Hollands and Sir Van Morrison as patrons – has used the space to host a walk-through history of jazz, a museum, performance spaces, a cinema and retail outlets for jazz books and records.

But now, the council to house its “ever-growing heritage collections” – including artefacts from the London shipwreck, a 76-gun ship which accidentally blew up in 1665 and sank in the Thames Estuary.

Council bosses have pledged to help TJCUK find an alternative space within Southend.

Councillor Carole Mulroney, responsible for environment, culture and tourism, said: “The Beecroft has provided an excellent base for The Jazz Centre UK to develop, but with the Beecroft collection and the museums service needing more space to show its own collection, the search is on for The Jazz Centre UK to find a new home in Southend.

“We have an increasing heritage collection to put on display and more artefacts coming from the London shipwreck so we will need to accommodate this and many items currently in storage need to be put on display.

“Having a nationally renowned jazz centre is great for the city, so we will be pleased to help TJCUK find alternative accommodation to meet their future ambitions.”