BANGOR Street Community Centre will soon be run by a charity, it has been revealed.

The centre based in the heart of Bastwell and Brookhouse is one of the most popular community centres in Blackburn.

The new owners are the Minority Enterprise Development Trust (MEDT) charity which has said it will look to continue to ensure the survival of the centre.

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Blackburn with Darwen Council has agreed to transfer management and future development responsibilities to MEDT from April 1 next year after a tendering process was undertaken.

The council put out a call earlier in the summer for qualified and experienced groups who could demonstrate they were capable of effectively managing and developing the facility for the community’s benefit.

The announcement came following a call for local groups to play a greater role in their neighbourhoods.

The aid asset transfer is aimed at giving local people and communities greater control in the future of their area and their facilities.

MEDT was set up in 2004 to support projects that develop business skills in the community and multi-cultural and multi-racial harmony in business.

The trustees of MEDT have been long-standing supporters of BME community projects in Blackburn with Darwen.

The council will retain ownership of the Bangor Street building and community programmes and activities will continue. It will work with MEDT through a shadowing and licence period until eventually handing over to the charity in April.

Cllr Damian Talbot, executive member for Leisure, Culture and Young People, said: “I’m delighted this process has been finalised and we are now in a position to hand over management of Bangor Street to MEDT.

“The council is committed to working constructively with community groups, local people and organisations to ensure community asset transfer in Blackburn with Darwen Borough is successful.”

Cllr Phil Riley, executive member for Regeneration, said: “We know the members of the MEDT team very well and are impressed with their track record working across the borough. We feel sure Bangor Street is in very safe hands.”

Khalid Saifullah, a Trustee of MEDT, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen by the council and we are are committed to the long-term sustainable future of the centre for all the stakeholders.

“Our trustees are highly experienced and successful local business people who all passionately believe in the alleviation of poverty through business education and enterprise creation.

“We will continue to support all programmes that have a positive impact on the local community and we are looking forward to working with new groups who can enhance the present offer.”