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Camden News - by SIMON WROE
Published: 19 March 2009

Funds probe charity sells gallery

A CHARITY under investigation for alleged financial irregularities has closed a number of its Camden Town operations.
The Novas Scarman Group (NSG) has announced it has sold its art gallery on Parkway and is “mothballing” its café on the same street.
Sound and sculpture studios owned by the social justice charity in a private mews off Arlington Road have also been closed and its Camden Town recruitment office has been disbanded.
The outcome of an inquiry by government regulators into NSG’s accounts is expected next month.
An NSG spokeswoman said the closure of the gallery had been caused by the economic downturn.
She added there was space for a gallery and a coffee shop in the NSG-owned Arlington House, which is currently behind schedule in a £22million refurbishment project.
NSG announced plans to “transfer the landlord function” of the historic hostel to another housing association last September for “nil cost”.
As of yet, no registered social landlord has taken them up on the offer.
The charity’s spokeswoman added: “The business sector is tough at the moment and we have made some decisions to close some projects which are not viable. The Parkway Gallery has been sold. These receipts are going into Arlington House.
“We are mothballing the café for the time being.
“These were always pilot projects ahead of the main space coming available at Arlington House that we funded ourselves without any public money.”

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