THE organisation which will run Colchester’s controversial Visual Arts Facility is to take over a nearby building from the council.
Firstsite has begun talks with Colchester Council to buy the leasehold of 15 Queen Street, a three-storey Victorian building near the VAF.
The move has been attacked by Colchester MP Bob Russell, who said the arts organisation should set up its base in the VAF, where the budget has spiralled from £16.5million to around £25million.
He said: “The VAF, if it is ever finished, is a vast building. Why do they need 15 Queen Street as well?”
Firstsite director Katherine Wood pledged to preserve the building for the town.
Paul Smith, councillor responsible for culture said a decision on Firstsite’s bid to use the building would be made in the next few weeks.
He said: “The proposal is to retain the building and provide it with a long-term future.
“If the decision is approved it is likely the council will retain the freehold and have strategic direction over the site long-term.”
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