The future of a much loved local building in Ely has been secured for the community. Centre E on Barton Road was earmarked by Cambridgeshire County Council for possible demolition under the Council’s Making Assets Count programme, so the site could be redeveloped.

Councillor Elaine Griffin-Singh, who represents Ely North Ward at East Cambs District Council, approached Ely County Councillors Mike Rouse and Anna Bailey last year to see what could be done to save the building for future community use. Cllr Griffin-Singh’s vision for the building is to turn it into a Youth Hub for young people in Ely and the surrounding villages.

At a County Council Committee meeting last week, Mike and Anna both spoke passionately about the building’s facilities and importance to the local community. A new Charity called “YEH” (Youth Ely Hub) has been set up to run the building and the charity has been granted a 5 year peppercorn lease by the County Council to see if it can make a go of its plans. YEH will take over the running of the building from the current occupiers, The Forum Trust, who has run the facility for many years; the Trust was anxious to ensure the building was retained for the good of the community.

Cllr Griffin-Singh said “I am so excited by the potential of this building. Ely desperately needs more things for young people to do and they need somewhere to go - this building is perfect.” She continued “I have been overwhelmed with the level of support I have received from the local community about this idea - so many companies and organisations have come forward wanting to support us in this venture.”

Cllr Rouse said “This building has an unbelievable range of facilities, including fully fitted training kitchens, wired computer rooms, office spaces, studios, living accommodation, design & technology and construction workshops - the list goes on. As the old military drill hall, it is also an important part of Ely’s history.”

Cllr Bailey said “I am so pleased for Elaine and her colleagues that we have managed to secure this building for young people in and around Ely. I would like to thank The Forum Trust, the current occupier of part of the building, who has worked so hard to make it available for community use for so many years. We look forward to the hand over from them and wish to stress that the building will continue to be available to the many local organisations that currently use it.”