THE home of several York community groups has been secured by two groups moving into their building.

Members of several clubs feared they could lose their home when York council gave up the lease on the Melbourne Centre, in Escrick Street.

The move came after Oftsed inspectors said the building was not of a high enough standard for Melbourne Youth Club, which has since joined the Fulford group.

But the Gateway Club for disabled youngsters and two pre-school groups were left behind, with the prospect of being made homeless by the end of summer.

Now Cube Media and Accessible Arts have chosen to relocate to the building from York College, securing the future for everyone.

The business, which aims to provide access to affordable and high-quality media arts services, has also set up a partnership between users to look at the long-term development of the building.

Manager Rose Kent said: "It's much better for both user groups that are there and fantastic for us because we have got autonomy for the first time in eight years.

"Our new home will help us achieve our charitable aims and objectives and carry out our work to its full potential."

A City of York Council spokeswoman said: "We've been working with partner groups at Melbourne Youth Centre to try to secure their future for some time and we are delighted that Cube Media has agreed to manage the centre.

"The existing groups should see no real change to their function and we hope that young people in the area will be able to gain additional activities offered by Cube."

Councillor Andy D'Agorne, who represents Fishergate ward, said: "Other groups using the centre were not informed at all, and there was no other venue we could find for these groups.

"I am delighted that not only will the community groups be able to continue using the premises, but that Cube Media and Accessible Arts will be bringing much more to the area with their own youth projects."

The Melbourne Centre has been run for more than 25 years as a Youth and Community Centre.

It is currently home to the Gateway Club, Melbourne Playgroup and Toddler Groups, the Woodcraft Folk and Gravity Control, York's hip-hop dance group.

The first project since the move will be Cube Media's annual Young Person's Film And Animation Festival.

Accessible Arts is best known for the Hands And Voices Choir, the first singing and signing choir in the country.

Cube Media was registered as a charity in 1991 recorded total expenditure of £117,000 in 2003, the last year records are available. It was formerly known as The Old Dairy Studios.

Updated: 10:48 Friday, August 26, 2005