Ely Museum future boosted thanks to 99-year lease
The museum hopes this can be an "important foundation" for its future
The future of Ely Museum has been secured after being handed a 99-year extension on its lease.
East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC) have agreed to extending the lease on the Old Gaol building until March 2125.
"This decision provides an important foundation for our future plans," a spokesperson for Ely Museum said.
"The extension gives us the long-term security required by many major funders and will help us continue preserving Ely's history, caring for our collections and welcoming visitors for many years to come."
Located within Ely's former gaol on Market Street, the museum tells the story of the city and wider East Cambridgeshire area, from prehistoric times through to the modern day.
The museum is also home to a range of family-friendly activities and interactive exhibits.
The decision to extend the lease means the museum can approach more grant funders, many of whom require organisations to demonstrate long-term security over the buildings they occupy before applications can be considered.
"Ely Museum is much more than a collection of artefacts; it tells the story of our communities, our heritage and the people who have shaped East Cambridgeshire over thousands of years," Councillor Alan Sharp, chair of the finance and assets committee at ECDC, said.
"By extending the lease, we are helping provide the stability needed to secure future investment, enhance the visitor experience and ensure this important community asset continues to thrive for generations to come."
The council currently leases the building to Ely Museum at a peppercorn rent, and has previously invested £165,000 through its community infrastructure levy programme to support improvements at the museum.