THE manager of an historic former market house which is now operated as a community hub in Leominster is to retire next month.

Dick Ellison, who has held the post at Grange Court Community Hub for the past five ears, will stand down at the end April due to poor health.

The property is owned and operated on behalf of Leominster residents by LARC Development Trust.

LARC chairman, Martin Baines, said: "Dick has been a Godsend to us. His complete understanding of social enterprises and his outstanding interpersonal skills have established Grange Court as the friendly, relaxed and highly successful meeting place for the Town that we had hoped somehow to achieve.

"We have some 20,000 visitors a year now after only being open three years, and are hosting an increasing number of meetings, conferences, weddings and events for children and families.

"A glance at our website or Facebook page will give an idea of the amazing range of activities – Dick has made Grange Court into a key player in the social life of Leominster.

"In the years he has been with us in Leominster he has made very many friends here who will miss his cheerful competence immensely.

"His will be a very difficult act to follow."

LARC is proposing to divide the job of manager into two – a chief executive for LARC itself, and a property manager for Grange Court.