ASSURANCES have been made that despite a three-month delay the transfer of Ulverston assets to a community-led group will still go ahead. 

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Earlier this year it was announced that Ulverston Community Enterprises would be taking control of the Coronation Hall and the indoor and outdoor markets by April 1. 

But now it has been revealed that this won't be happening until July 1. 

For more than a year, South Lakeland District Council has been in negotiations with UCE about transferring the assets. 

Judy Pickthall, chairwoman of UCE said: "A delay of a few weeks is regrettable but will not jeopardise the enterprise as a whole. 

"SLDC has been under huge pressure in the aftermath of the floods and that has meant diverting resources to meet urgent need – a situation with which we can only sympathise. 

"We and the people of Ulverston can be patient for a little longer, in the expectation of achieving a positive result." 

UCE hope to increase footfall in Ulverston town centre by revitalising the markets and by taking over the running of the Coro. 

Transferring the assets will save SLDC £117,000 over a five year period. 

A spokesman from SLDC said:  "The council and UCE have both agreed that the original proposal of a transfer on March 31 needs to be reconsidered in light of the ongoing work on these arrangements and we are now aiming to transfer operation by July 1. 

"We want to reassure people that the council and UCE are still completely committed to the transfer arrangement and that this new timetable will have absolutely no effect on the day-to-day operation of the Coronation Hall." 

UCE was set up in 2014 'to reclaim Ulverston’s assets for the common good'. 

It is a not-for-profit community enterprise whose main activities are to scope, plan and oversee the running of assets of community significance in Ulverston.