AN HISTORIC house in Malvern town centre had been leased by a business which plans to offer space to start-ups.

The future of the Grange, in Grange Road, has been uncertain since the Citizens Advice Bureau moved out in 2013.

But Malvern Hills District Council has now signed a lease for the building with Bloom.Space which offers office space and support to businesses, particularly start-ups.

Council leader David Chambers said: “It’s great that we’ve leased the Grange to a tenant, especially one that will provide much-needed office space for businesses.

“Driving the economy is one of our key priorities, so it’s fantastic that this agreement supports that.”

Jack Wratten, founder and CEO of Bloom.Space, said: “The Malvern Hills is an outstanding location for inspiring new businesses and, with the links we have to London and the facilities we’re providing at the Grange, we hope to be home to a great range of start-ups.”

He said that Bloom.Space provides hot desks, fixed desks, meeting rooms and office space with high speed wifi, meet-up events and access to business support services.

Clive Hooper of Malvern Civic Society said: “The society has been interested in securing the Grange for the community, and we were successful in having the building listed as an Asset of Community Value.

“Since then, a steering group with other interested parties has been set up to develop proposals for a partnership scheme with MHDC and we have been engaged in discussions with senior members of the council with that in mind.

“MHDC did inform us recently that there had been an approach by a third party for the short-term use of the premises, and that as a result, discussions had been taking place about the granting of a two-year lease.

“I was reassured to learn, however, that it was not considered that this would jeopardise any future collaborative relationship with MHDC; rather, it would give us the opportunity to develop a detailed scheme and endeavour to secure appropriate funds to enable us to proceed with the project we had in mind.”