A PARISH council could set up a trust to cover the costs of a controversial office purchase.

Bromyard and Winslow Town Council is looking for extra funding, having bought the Rowberry Street office complex.

The council was forced to raise its precept after buying the complex off Herefordshire Council in a six-figure deal.

The council wanted to keep the complex – which includes the council office, heritage centre and several offices – in the town’s hands amid rumours the land could be sold for development.

Some 75 per cent of the development has been leased, but the council needs more tenants to get a good return on its investment.

Bromyard Mayor, Councillor Jonathan Lester, admitted at last week’s town meeting that the process had been difficult.

But he stressed that the council would find the extra funds and that Bromyard would benefit from owning the complex.

“In order to progress our project, the town council is still investigating the possibility of getting funds,” he said.

“One possibility is setting up a trust, because certain funding is dependent on what organisation or structure we have.

“We’ve had the building in our ownership for 13 months and we’re not making as much money as we hoped. But we’ve always known it was going to be a gradual process and the end game is to make money out of it.”

Deputy Mayor, Councillor Jamie Jacobsen, said two people were interested in the remaining offices and their rent would cover utility and mortgage costs. A piano tuning teacher from Weobley is also interested in renting the heritage centre.

“We have organisations lined up and, once we get them in, we’ll be able to cover the costs,” he said.