Discussions have taken place to bring Hitchin's Charnwood House back into use as a community space following vital repairs, North Herts Council has confirmed.

The Paynes Park building, which was constructed in 1825, has stood empty since Hitchin Museum and Art Gallery closed in 2012 to make way for the new North Hertfordshire Museum in Brand Street.

Renovation work to remove asbestos began in 2022, and now works to make the property wind and watertight have been completed.

Concerns about the future of Charnwood House were raised last year when "no suitable proposals emerged" despite efforts to find potential operators for the building.

But now, Cllr Tamsin Thomas, North Herts Council’s executive member for enterprise and arts, has confirmed that discussions have taken place with a "local organisation to potentially lease the building for wider community use".

"We have completed the clearance and main works to make the property wind and watertight," she said. 

"We have procured an updated survey and budget costings for bringing the property back into use and are in discussion with a local organisation to potentially lease the building for wider community use."

A spokesperson for North Herts Council added: "Stay tuned for updates on the progress of Charnwood House's revival.

"We remain committed to facilitating enduring and beneficial activities at Charnwood House for the Hitchin community."