A DEAL is about to be struck by Worcester City Council to ensure historic Tudor House remains open.

The council wants to secure the long-term prospects of the Friar Street building by rubber-stamping a new lease.

Bosses are keen to come to an agreement with Worcester Heritage Amenity Trust to ensure it remains open beyond 2009.

The building, which dates from 1530, is largely used as an education centre and stages free displays of history, crafts and culture.

The trust took over the running of Tudor House one year ago on a three-year lease, which was free for the first year but chargeable for the next two years.

The city council wants to make the lease long-term because it believes the short-term agreement is hampering attempts to get grants.

The trust has also said it is having problems meeting the obligation to pay to keep the building going.

Councillor Barry Mackenzie-Williams, deputy leader of the council, said: "This is about producing a deal which helps the trust get grants."

He said the original deal saw the trust responsible for minor repairs and having to pay a small fee this year and a slightly bigger one next.

"The fact it can't pay money now isn't a problem because we saw it coming. It wants a different set up, so we need to revamp the lease to help it when it applies for grants."

Guildhall bosses had a private meeting on Tuesday night to discuss the options, where they ruled out any sale of the building and pledged to negotiate a long-term deal.

Paul Harding, who has been putting on events in Tudor House for two years, said: "It's great that the future of the building could be made more secure."

Over the last five centuries the building has been used as a work-place for various trades such as weavers, tailors, bakers and brewers.