WORK is underway to secure a new lease for The Bridges Centre in Monmouth as trustees confirm concessions have been made for the charity which runs it.

The deadline for the new lease to be accepted by the Bridges’ charity has recently passed, the trustees and the council have been in negotiation but have not reached an agreement.

The centre has been offered a new 30-year lease with a proposed annual rent of £97,000 with only a partial refund for the first three years and trustees are concerned that in the future, the centre will face the full commercial rent.

Bridges Community Centre plays a vital role in the community, it has been around since 1984 in the heart of Monmouth serving as a community hub which hosts many activities and functions but there are now concerns within the community on its potential future.

A Monmouthshire County Council spokesperson said the authority remains committed to securing a long-term solution.

“We continue in negotiation to achieve an affordable and fair agreement with the Bridges Centre to secure its long-term future and are currently waiting for feedback on the latest offer.

“At last month’s full council meeting, all councillors agreed on a motion that recognises the significant contribution the Bridges Centre in Monmouth makes to the lives of residents across Monmouthshire.”

Councillor Richard John said: “Last month, the council’s cabinet received a very clear instruction from the public via the submission of a 3,000-name petition- get back to the negotiating table, withdraw the threat of eviction and offer Bridges a fair lease.

“It’s disappointing that the council has still not removed the threat of withdrawing Bridges’ lease altogether and forcing the charity to find a new home. The threat is causing uncertainty for Bridges users and harming the charity’s reputation.

“The council must withdraw this threat and offer a fair lease, which includes safeguards so the centre will never face a full commercial rent of £97,000.

“The people of Monmouth and surrounding villages need Bridges to continue to thrive. The council can end this conflict once and for all, but they need to withdraw the threats and offer a fairer proposal.”

Mark Walton, one of the trustees at Bridges Community Centre said: “Following the council meeting and silent protest on September 18, the trustees had a meeting on Friday September 26 to decide on our next steps to secure the long term future of Bridges.

“Some concessions have been made to the proposed new lease. We are now undertaking a number of actions to ensure that this lease is fair and will provide us with a degree of financial stability for the whole period of the lease, not just for the first three years.

“In order to do this we are arranging for an up to date valuation and are taking further legal advice to help decide the best way to proceed without risk to Bridges charity.

“We very much hope to have reached an agreement in the next month or two. In the meantime, we would like to reassure our staff, volunteers, users and tenants that we will do everything possible to ensure that Bridges at Drybridge House has a secure future.

“Thank you all for your tremendous support over the past few weeks which demonstrates the importance that Drybridge House and Bridges represent for the people of Monmouth.