Three organisations have now been awarded 'preferred bidder' status for their offers for vacant Harlow Council premises. The decision was taken at a special all-day meeting of the council's Policy & Resources Committee today.

Great Parndon Community Association will enter into negotiations with the Council over its bid for Sumners Leisure Centre. The Herts & Essex Muslim Cultural Association will negotiate to take on The Wreck. And the Harlow Education Consortium's bid for the Study Centre will also progress to detailed discussions.

Local Liberal Democrat councillors have welcomed the decision. Group leader Cllr Chris Millington said:

"It's been very encouraging to receive such a range of interesting and imaginative bids for these buildings from locally based organisations with significant track records.

We hope that negotiations are successful, and that the community will soon be able to enjoy the benefit of services provided from these buildings in new and different ways."

No valid bids were received for the Norman Booth Centre in Old Harlow, which is likely to be re-advertised.