PLANS for a creative enterprise centre in Winchester which looked in doubt have been given fresh hope.

Liberal Democrat leader in Winchester, Lucille Thompson pressed council chiefs for an answer of what was going on with the proposed centre at the former industrial site at Barfield Close.

The council say the centre would provide somewhere for graduates and business start-ups as well as artists who are skilled but unable to find work in Winchester.

Previously the plans were in doubt, when the University of Winchester pulled out of funding the centre.

But Winchester City Council leader Caroline Horrill said discussions have begun with new potential partners, and the scheme could be given new life.

The council say the centre would provide somewhere for graduates and business start-ups as well as artists who are skilled but unable to find work in Winchester.

Cllr Horrill said: “There was a plan to work with the University of Winchester on the creative enterprise centre but at the last moment they chose not to go forward on that basis.

“They have a number of projects underway and felt they could not support this one.

“We still feel it has merit and we are looking to find other partnerships to help us deliver this project.

“There are some early discussions about this approach and we are trying to see if we can bring it to fruition with others in partnership.”

The council has previously stated that even if they can't find a partner that some of the project will go ahead