MALVERN Hills Outdoor Education Centre will be handed over to new managers this summer, it has been confirmed.
Your Malvern Gazette reported in March how a community-led bid was in pole position to take over the centre after private provider Acorn Ventures – originally Worcestershire County Council’s preferred bidder – pulled out of the race for the helm.
Now, council cabinet members have approved a takeover by the Malvern Hills Outdoor Education Company, trading as Malvern Outdoor Elements.
The community takeover will be on a 60-year lease at a “nominal” rent and the CIC will be responsible for maintaining and investing in the centre’s equipment and buildings, some of which will need significant investment.
The new provider is a not-for-profit company and will continue to be run by its existing centre manager, Nick Hands, supported by his current team and by the local community. It will retain the same core values as prior to the handover.
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