Market House is safe for future

Trustees of a Long Sutton charity have been reassured that its home is not to be sold out from under them.

A proposal to sell the Market House was on the agenda for a county council meeting in February.

It said the council, which owns the building, could save £6,000 a year if it was sold.

But Coun Gary Taylor successfully argued his amendment at the eight-hour meeting that the sale should be suspended for full consultation.

Council deputy leader Rob Gibson and Coun Robbie Woods, ward member, met with the trustees to reassure them of the council’s position.

“There’s been some unfortunate confusion around our intentions with the site, and we were more than happy to clear that up face-to-face, and confirm their position here as a cornerstone of the community,” said Coun Woods.

The building is used for a range of services from adult learning to wellbeing initiatives and entertainment space.

“To be clear, any suggestions, ideas and proposals to reduce costs to the council have been with the vision of retaining the trustees and the service they provide to Long Sutton.”

Trustee chairman David Wilson said: “After reading some very disturbing reports, the trustees were pleased to meet with councillors to receive reassurances around the lease of the Market House. We are grateful to the councillors for taking such an interest in our unique building and reiterating that the trustees will be able to lease the Market House for another 40 years.”