Council buys former Wellington bank for community group

Wellington Orbit is housed inside a former bank

A community arts centre will be given room to expand and develop with the support of a council.

The Wellington Orbit in Wellington, Shropshire, was set up by a group in a former bank and houses a cinema and café.

Telford and Wrekin Council has now used government money to buy the building on its behalf and to provide funding to develop more of the site.

The council said it wanted to create a "cultural hub for the town".

The Clifton Community Arts Centre Ltd is now the owner of the building and the council said it would be the first time since 1918 that the building was owned by Wellington residents.

Phil Morris-Jones, chairman of the arts centre, thanked the council and said the purchase was an "exciting new chapter" for them and the community.

The Wellington Orbit was set up by a community group and contains a cinema and cafe

The council said it expected to see a planning application for the development of the building in the second half of this year and, subject to approval, work could start in 2025.

Redevelopment should then be complete by the end of 2025, it added.