Bedford College are the current favourites to gain a lease for two main buildings at Bedford High School for Girls for the next ten years.

The College is in discussions with The Bedford Charity (Harpur Trust) regarding the site on Bromham Road, which will be vacant from August once the school closes for the merge with Dame Alice Harpur School.

Trinity Church and the Sports and Performing Arts (SPA) complex will be vacant from September 2012. The College plans to use the buildings for its classroom based activities as well as continue operations for the SPA facilities.

Final details for the lease agreement are still being negotiated but the College hopes to commence classes there in September this year.  The lease will not include buildings in the neighbouring Adelaide Square or The Crescent.

The future of the buildings is still being considered by Savills on behalf of The Bedford Charity.

Ian Pryce CBE, Principle and Chief Executive of Outstanding Ofsted Bedford College, said: We are delighted to be regarded as the preferred bidder. Our intention is to maintain the educational buildings for that purpose and to preserve local education history.”

David Russell, Chief Executive of the Harpur Trust, said a ten year lease is an ideal solution for expanding the current facilities for young people in Bedford.

He said: “We are working with the College to ensure that the Sports and Performing Arts complex that includes a pool, sports hall and theatre, remains open and can continue to be enjoyed by the many local groups and individuals that use the facilities on a regular basis.”

The Harpur Trust and the College hope that negotiations for the lease will be completed by Easter.