18 June 2012 Last updated at 08:04 ET

Muhammad Ali centre: Cooking school plan for Birmingham

Muhammad Ali, pictured at a charity event in 2011, had the centre named after him

A community centre in Birmingham could reopen as a Caribbean catering academy under a £1.8m scheme.

The city council has chosen community group Kajans to manage the centre, named after and opened by boxing legend Muhammad Ali, if funding is obtained.

It would also be used as a community enterprise centre, providing advice to those wanting to start their own business.

Kajans would have a long-term lease at the council-owned property.

'Positive step'

The group's plans include the catering academy, the community enterprise centre and using the site as a public-use space, the council said.

Officers from the authority will help Kajans put bids for funding together for non-council money, such as European cash.

The group was chosen as the preferred bidder by officers after six expressions of interest were made in total.

Council cabinet member for social cohesion and equalities John Cotton said: "I don't want to set hares running that this will happen within a matter of weeks or months.

"I think the important message here is this is a positive step."