BRIDPORT town council is asking to take over the lease of The Grove and then let it out to a mix of commercial and community uses.

The Grade II-listed building, formerly the Oak Loft, is currently vacant and is off the main drive to Mountfield which is owned, and partly occupied, by the town council.

Town councillors say they would let out the building to cover the costs of the 30-year lease from the district council and plough any profit back into the community.

Members of the district council’s strategy committee, meeting on February 7, are being recommended to agree the deal. Officer say that if they do not the building will probably be marketed freehold on the open market.