Lib Dems Save Earby's Youth Hostel

10.56.15pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 12th Sep 2006

Earby's Youth Hostel has been saved from closure after Pendle Council launched a rescue package for the building. The property was due to be auctioned next week, but the Youth Hostel Association has withdrawn it from the sale.

Last month, Liberal Democrat Councillors proposed that the borough council should buy the building in a last ditch attempt to keep the hostel open. The YHA decided in February that it would close this autumn.

"Our offer to buy the building and lease it back to the YHA has been accepted in principle," said Councillor David Whipp. "Although some details still have to be sorted out, there's sufficient agreement for YHA to take it off the market.

"YHA will continue to operate the hostel, but Pendle Council will own the building. The agreement is for five years initially. The borough council will also invest about £20,000 in improvements to the property.

"I'm delighted that we've got an agreement to keep the hostel open. We're making a big effort to put Pendle on the tourist and visitor map; the loss of 22 overnight beds would have been a major blow. The investment will pay dividends for the wider economy of the area. We'll be putting alot of work in to increase the business at the hostel and ensure its long term sustainability."

Purchase of the building is being funded from a contingency account in Pendle Council's capital investment programme. "We are able to acquire the building because of the council's healthy finances," said Councillor Whipp. "One reason for the positive cash position was the sale of land in Earby. Without that land sale, we would not have been able to make the offer to buy the building."