BRAINTREE Council is seeking a tenant to enter into a lease and to operate the proposed new multi-use community centre in Witham.

The council has said it is looking for a voluntary, community, social enterprise or charitable organisation or parish council which is “suitably qualified and resourced”.

Organisations interested in leasing and operating the community centre are being invited to register their interest.

Councillors approved the £4million budget needed to build the two-storey building at a meeting last year.

The plans include a mixed-use hall, kitchen, bar area and changing rooms for sports players using the football pitch next door.

The council says interested parties must have experience in managing community services and ensure that they are accessible to all sections of the community.

The centre will be built on land next to Haygreen Road, just behind the Aldi supermarket off Hatfield Road.

If plans move forward as expected, building work will finish by the end of 2024.

Council communities boss Frankie Ricci said: “We are looking for an organisation with the right experience who can maintain and manage the centre in a way which will benefit the community.”

Organisations should email strategic.investment@braintree.gov.uk to register their interest.

The application window closes on Friday, March 3, at 12noon.