NEGOTIATIONS are underway for a community group to take over a town hall.

The Baldock Town Hall Group (BTHG) and cabinet members for North Herts District Council (NHDC) met on Tuesday to discuss the lease for the facility which has stood empty for the past three years.

The hall is being taken over by community members from Baldock and the campaign group wants to use it for the arts, as well as for education and training purposes.

Cabinet members agreed to consider BTHG’s request for �120,000 to return the building to a good state of repair before it is transferred to the group.

Speaking after the meeting BHTG’s chairman Alison Gentle said: “It is excellent news and we can’t wait to resume negotiations and to re-address lease terms.

“We’re still very much on track for a March start and we are hoping to hold an Edwardian evening in March. The grand opening will be in October.”

Cllr Terry Hone said he was keen for the council to support the group and get the project moving so they could meet the deadline.