The borough's first arts centre, scheduled to open in North Finchley in March 2002, has taken another step towards reality.

Barnet Council and the Tally Ho Arts Centre have begun advertising for a commercial developer to help build and finance the centre, which will go up on the site of the former Gaumont cinema.

More than 130 companies have already expressed an interest in the scheme, which council leader Alan Williams this week described as an "important flagship".

Developers will need to demonstrate that they can work with the council and the arts centre trust and show experience of similar projects in other town centres.

The council is looking for a flexible commercial partner who can accommodate its plans for retail and residential use as well as a new bus terminus. Not all of the cost will come from a private source; Barnet Council submitted a Lottery bid last July and will be investing its own funds and seeking cash from Europe and charitable organisations.

Mr Williams said: "Before Christmas we held a conference for Barnet people to come up with ideas for what the centre should be and what services it should provide.

"We are now advertising for a developer to ensure that the commercial and building side of the project is completed. We have tried to be as flexible as possible It is not often the borough gets to build such an important flagship and innovative building."

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