The future of an adult education centre and community venue has been secured after its lease was extended by 50 years.

The Letchworth Settlement, which offers adult education classes and space for community groups, can now remain in the Grade II-listed building until 2066.

The lease was due to run out in March 2016 but was extended last week by the site’s owner – the Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation.

Carola Garvie, chairman of The Settlement’s management committee, said: “This is great news for us and we are extremely grateful to the Heritage Foundation for their support in this matter. We have secured the premises at a rate that means we can continue to develop and deliver our courses.

“The Settlement is a very special place, providing a unique service for our community and now we can move forward positively, looking at how we can adapt our business to continue to meet the needs of our students and visitors.”

The Settlement building was opened in 1907 as The Skittles Inn – famous for being a pub with no beer.

In 1920 the building was purchased by the Letchworth Adult Educational Settlement, and became The Settlement in 1925.

John Lewis, chief executive of the Heritage Foundation, said: “The Settlement is a great community asset and their educational courses and arts events play an important part in Letchworth life.”

For more information visit www.letchworthsettlement.org.uk.