THE future of an art centre in Wotton has been secured for another ten years after a lease extension was agreed with the town trust.

Under the Edge Arts (UTEA) has occupied the Chipping Hall, previously Blue Coat primary’s school hall and originally the National School, since 2004.

The arts centre will now remain in the town until 2026/2027, but with agreed rental increases which will see their rent increased by a third in the next three years from £6,000 to £9,000.

UTEA co-chairman Martin Clarke said: “We would like to thank the town trustees for their support in reaching an acceptable agreement very rapidly, one that allows us to plan for the next decade.

“They have been most helpful in keeping the rent unchanged before and during the very long recession.

“We will need to pay a higher rent from 2018 and beyond but the amounts are agreed for the next few years and are acceptable to us.

“We hope the people of Wotton will respond by joining our membership scheme, getting involved and coming to our events in larger numbers.

“UTEA has a great future and it's exciting to be involved.”

The lease was signed the day by Wotton’s mayor and the chairman of the town trustees Cllr Paul Smith before the town’s 18-hour arts marathon Spring into Summer, the arts centre was a key venue for the duration of this celebration.

UTEA acts as the public face of the Wotton Arts Project, a charity formed by a group of enthusiasts in 2003/2004 to act as a hub for the town’s performances.

Martin has been interested in the arts all his life and joined with the centre’s fundraising efforts five years ago.

He has been a member of the Round the Edge choir for the past three years, returning to singing after 66 years.

Martin is married to Lynne Clarke, a talented artist, he said: “Times and generations move on and people leave the town and others move in - so it is with the arts centre.

“We need constantly to reach out, to be innovative and to be inclusive, so there's much to do, to build on what we have achieved.

“There are many in the town that are put off by the word ‘arts’ and we want to destroy that barrier.

“I have met so many talented, creative and friendly people.

“We want UTEA to belong to all the Wotton people of all ages, to help those who have unrealised talent to develop, for the lonely to feel welcomed and the curious to come through the door.”

For more information visit www.utea.org.uk