COMMUNITY arts body ADeC, is hoping to secure its future at the Babylon Bridge site in the coming weeks following protracted negotiations with the landlord. ADeC has been based in offices located on the Ely riverside for almost three years thanks to an ag

COMMUNITY arts body ADeC, is hoping to secure its future at the Babylon Bridge site in the coming weeks following protracted negotiations with the landlord.

ADeC has been based in offices located on the Ely riverside for almost three years thanks to an agreement with East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC), and has seen thousands of people pass through the doors of its growing art gallery in that time.

Though ECDC is the official tenant of the property, it has been clear for some time that it was due to end its occupancy at the end of the lease, as it no longer uses the site itself.

As a result, ADeC has been tasked with negotiating a new tenancy of its own at the building before the council's lease runs out in February 2010. If it is unable to secure a new lease it may have to relocate elsewhere but, Andy O'Hanlon, chairman of ADeC, remained confident that a deal would be agreed soon,

"ADeC is currently in negotiations with the landlord to take on the lease of the Babylon Gallery building from February 2010. Since we re-opened the gallery in February this year we have already had over 8,000 visitors, he said.

"We view the gallery as an important cultural asset to the district and are keen to see it continue in its current location."

John Hill, chief executive of East Cambridgeshire District Council said:

"It was always the intention of the district council to give up the lease of the Babylon building on in February 2010. Since making this decision we have provided financial and administrative support to ADeC as they work to reach a new agreement with the landlord.

"From discussions we have had in the last week, we believe these talks are at a very advanced stage. Far from withdrawing support from ADeC at this delicate time, we continue to offer the use of our agent to help them with negotiations and can confirm their current grant will not be affected.