A NEW operator is being sought for Princetown's Duchy Square Centre, which closed at the beginning of the year when the last managers ran in to financial difficulties.

Devon County Council is preparing to go out to formal tender for a new operator/managing organisation for the centre in autumn 2012.

Following informal market research through social media, some interesting ideas have come forward.

Through this research several local businesses and organisations have shown an interest in using part of the building. However it is now time to go out to the market to find another organisation to manage and run Duchy Square to ensure the most is made of the building.  

The building must be used to benefit the economy of Princetown and surrounding area in some way and does not necessarily need to be tied to arts use, although it would be positive if some links to the arts could be retained.

The procurement process will invite proposals from organisations with innovative ideas about uses for the building and a robust business plan, within the scope outlined above.

Currently it is envisaged that the operator would take on all the costs associated with running the building but would not be charged additional rent by DCC.

Cllr Will Mumford, cabinet member for economy, enterprise and employment, said: 'It is important that any future use of Duchy Square fulfils the original obligations to its funders and the community in benefiting the economy of Princetown and surrounding area.

'Devon County Council will do its best to secure an appropriate future operator for the building, but this could be tricky in the current economic climate.

'However we remain hopeful that the potential opportunity offered by this fantastic building will not remain untapped and that it will once again play a key role in supporting the local economy.'

In the meantime the building will be used to host local events, including the 'Unravelling the Tail of Moor Wool' event, a pilot being run by the Dartmoor Hill Farm Project in September 2012.

Organisations interested in submitting a proposal can register at http://www.devontenders.gov.uk">www.devontenders.gov.uk for notification of when the procurement process goes live.