A LANDMARK East Lancashire building could be taken over by Colne Town Council.

Colne Town Hall, in Albert Road, is currently the subject of talks between the town council and the site’s owners, Pendle Council.

The grade II-listed building, which dates back to 1893, will be vacant once Pendle Leisure Trust staff move out later this year.

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Leisure trust employees are due to move to the ACE Centre, in Nelson, with the box office relocating to the Discover Pendle Centre at Boundary Mill, Colne.

Liberal Democrat Cllr Tony Greaves, who represents Colne’s Waterside ward, said some councillors had made it clear selling the building was ‘not an option’.

Cllr Greaves said: “Discussions are at an early stage between Pendle Council and Colne Town Council with a view to the town council taking over the town hall as a gift from Pendle.

“The town council has a need for office space and has already taken a small area – and will soon have a public desk – in the reception area.

“But its needs will obviously not fill the building or anything like it, though the town hall is actually not as spacious as it might look from outside.

“Town council chairman, Howard Thomas, and finance committee chair, Cllr David Clegg, are at the heart of discussions and have said that they would like to see the town hall used as a community hub for the benefit of Colne and local residents.

“But it has to pay its way with a business plan that will work.”

The building, designed by Alfred Waterhouse, was opened in 1894, and has housed several Pendle Council departments since the authority was formed in 1974.

Cllr Clegg added: “Before any transfer took place there would have to be a business plan to see if it would stack up financially.

“I would rather try to make this work, than the other option which may be to let the ownership of this iconic building slide into private ownership.”