The future's looking bright for Leominster's historic Grange Court with a £1.8 million refurbishment on the cards.
Herefordshire Council, working in partnership with the Leominster Area Regeneration Company (LARC), has been conditionally offered £1 million by the Big Lottery Fund towards the refurbishment.
This grant is part of Central Government's Community Assets Fund, which has been set up to support the transfer of buildings from local authorities to community organisations.
It means the carved black and white timber building, which was formerly the Market House in Leominster and was built in 1633 by the King's carpenter John Abel, will continue to be used by and for the community in the town.
To support the proposal, Herefordshire Council has agreed in principle the sale of the building for £1 to the Leominster Area Regeneration Company. This is subject to LARC finding the additional funding required.
"This is great news for the people of Leominster," said Cllr Adrian Blackshaw, Herefordshire Council's cabinet member for economic development and community services.
"This is the jewel in the crown of Leominster and I'm delighted that such a historic building is set to be used for community purposes for the foreseeable future," he added.
Leominster Area Regeneration Company (LARC) is a public, private and voluntary sector regeneration partnership. It is committed to carrying out detailed consultation to make sure local people have a voice in the future use of the building.
Wendy Coombey, from LARC, said: "We're delighted to be working in partnership with the Council, and are very happy we have been successful in our bid for the first part of the funding.
"We hope to be able to secure this iconic building in perpetuity for the people of Leominster and this is a first important step.
"We're committed to ensuring the long term sustainability of Grange Court and we shall be carrying out extensive consultations with the people of Leominster to explore the best use the building can be used in the future and how it can be made accessible and available to all.
"We want local people to get involved as volunteers and hope we can get the same level of commitment as shown with the Leominster swimming pool project."