A NEW procurement exercise to breath new life into Princetown's Duchy Square, and to boost the village's economy has officially been launched by Devon County Council.

The council last week announced that it was welcoming bids from a potential tenant and that it is open to ideas about how the building could be run in future.

Cllr Philip Sanders, local county member for Yelverton Rural, said:  'The building occupies a key site in the village centre, so bringing it back into use is an essential part of maintaining and boosting the local economy.'

Cllr Will Mumford, the council's cabinet member responsible for economy, said: 'The opportunities that this proposition presents are immense, to businesses, social enterprises, organisations or a consortium.

'The successful bid will need to demonstrate a robust and sustainable business plan that will bring clear benefits to the local Princetown economy.

'We will consider a mix of uses, be they for education, display, commercial, or retail use, or units for new businesses or office space.  Anything that will contribute to the economic development of the town will be considered.'

The council hopes its offer to waive rental costs will encourage potential bidders to come forward.  Operators of the building will be expected to meet the building's running costs.

Through discussions with community and business representatives, and an online forum set up to crowd source ideas, several local businesses and organisations have shown an interest in using Duchy Square.

There will be an open day for registered participants on September 11; full details are included in the invitation to tender.

The council is asking for proposals to be made to http://www.devontenders.gov.uk">www.devontenders.gov.uk and returned no later than noon on Friday, October 12, when the tender process closes.

Duchy Square has 15 purpose built units ranging in size from ten to 30 square metres, as well as a retail area of approximately 60 square metres.  It has a double height gallery/exhibition space of the same size, with a reception point and administration office.

Most of the units have IT/internet access points, sink and individual electric metres.

There is also a large studio of 60 square metres on the first floor with a mezzanine overlooking the gallery.

Further details from the architects Gale and Snowden are at http://devon.cc/d622f">http://devon.cc/d622f

The building was opened in 2009, and was used as a base for local artists, housing a gallery/exhibition space, training room and shop.