A major social enterprise in Huddersfield has gone into voluntary liquidation.
And there are fears for dozens of jobs and an historic archive of music.
Insolvency experts Brook Business Recovery Limited confirmed that Deighton-based Fresh Horizons has ceased operations, following a meeting with creditors at a meeting yesterday.
It is not yet known exactly why the not for profit property management and construction firm has become insolvent.
But its insolvency has also cast doubt over the future of the UK’s largest music lending library, the Yorkshire Music Library (YML) at Red Doles Lane, which was managed by the organisation and has since been forced to close.
Troubles were first highlighted by Fresh Horizons last September, when it had to make 20 people in its construction team redundant, after a two year contract to totally renovate 60 derelict and semi-derelict homes across Kirklees and Calderdale ended.
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But then executive director Andi Briggs assured people that other aspects of the operations of the organisation, which employed a further 40 people, were not in any danger.
However, the next month it began the process of an insolvency corporate voluntary arrangement.
Sophie Anderson, the Yorkshire Music Library’s co-ordinator, said that following the meeting, the library, which opened in its current location in 2011 had closed “immediately.”
She believes that the collection, that loaned over half a million scores and orchestral sets to 2,000 choirs and orchestras but was not open to the public could be taken on by a provider in a different location, which could see it leave Huddersfield.
“I understand that Leeds Libraries intend to take on the collection, however I have not been given any details of a time scale.
“I hope that they are able to maintain the level of service that Elliot Austin and I have strived to achieve and if nothing else, I am pleased that the collection will be back in public hands.”
Sophie advised people who have a score on loan or were hoping to loan one.
“Any orders that were due for dispatch on or after March 14 will not be processed.
“Any music on loan should either be kept safe until instructed otherwise or sent to Red Doles Lane as the collections will remain there until a decision is made.”
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She said she raised concerns about Fresh Horizons in 2015.
“I came on board at the YML in 2013 and first raised concerns about Fresh Horizons management of the collection with the Society of Chief Librarians Yorkshire and Humberside in January 2015, however, no action was taken.
“The library stock is not cans of beans on a shelf; it is music.
“Its true worth comes not from its resale value or from its income potential, but from the happiness and enjoyment it brings to the people who make use of it.
“Elliot and I would like to apologise for the inconvenience that will be caused by the disruption of service and to thank you all for your continued support over the past three years.”
