THE possibility of Ludlow Youth Centre being taken over by the town council is a step nearer.

Ludlow Town Council has decided to register the youth centre as an asset of community value and to express an interest in taking over the building under an asset transfer arrangement.

While the move does not commit the town council to anything it is in effect a ‘blocking tackle’ should Shropshire Council, which owns the building, decide to sell it in the future.

It would not prevent the sale of the building but would mean that if this were to happen Ludlow Town Council would have to be given a chance to put in a bid.

An asset transfer if it went forward could involve an agreement by Shropshire Council to transfer the facility to the town council.

Shropshire Council has said that it has no plans to sell Ludlow Youth Centre.

The council was responding to concerns that the future of the youth centre could be in doubt as a result of a major cut to the funding of youth services.

The Youth Centre was originally built with funding from the former South Shropshire District Council and the European Union.

Last year part of the building was taken over for use as offices by Shropshire Council.

Last year Shropshire Council told The Advertiser it had no plans to sell the Ludlow Youth Centre building, or to change its use.