Charity agrees new lease for historic headquarters
LDRSA charity is celebrating a more certain future after securing a 125-year-lease on its headquarters.
The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust, which has been based at Devizes Wharf, Wiltshire, for 40 years, was given the news after Wiltshire Council met last week.
Councillors voted to transfer control of the building to the trust on a 125-year lease, with the trust to pay peppercorn [minimal] rent.
A charity spokesperson said the asset transfer gives it the certainty to carry out vital repairs to its site, which houses a museum and café as well as the trust's offices.
The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust was responsible for restoring the 87-mile-long canal, built to transport goods between Bath and Reading, and onwards to London on the River Thames.
It was constructed between 1794 and 1810, but fell into disuse following the Great Western Railway opening in 1841.
After being restored, it was reopened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1990.
The trust said the transfer will allow them to bid for external funding for improvements, consolidate archives from their Caen Hill site and enhance the museum as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).
They will also be able to develop the building for exhibitions, community events, and café services, and provide improved facilities for boaters, walkers, and residents.
Councillor Helen Belcher, Wiltshire Council said the agreement "should provide positive outcomes for Wiltshire residents".
The vice-chair of Devizes Area Board, Tamara Reay said: "Devizes has great plans... I'm pleased that we've finally got this over the line."
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