IT'S celebration time for staff at the Engine Room in Bridgwater after it secured a 99-year lease on the town's former tourist information centre.

Sedgemoor District Council has also renewed the lease on the Engine Room's existing premises, enabling it to carry out alterations and improvements to the building.

A full redevelopment is expected within the next five years and the work will coincide with the wider refurbishment of the town hall, which should begin this month.

Phil Shepherd of the Engine Room said: “This is brilliant news.

“This gives us a truly firm foundation on which to build a wider range of film and digital media services for all the community.

“This also means we can continue to be based in Bridgwater, a town with great tradition of getting things made!”

Siobhan Wilson of the Engine Room confirmed the redevelopment will consist of three phases and more money will need to be raised to help meet its targets.

She said: “We intend to make the old information centre safe by carrying out work inside and on the roof to enable us to move some of our operations into the building.

“There is not enough space currently and we need more for new facilities.”

Polly Adams, from the council's urban regeneration team, said: “The council is delighted to conclude the deal with the Engine Room, and looks forward to the opening of a larger and improved venue in a prominent town centre location.”