Bosses of closed Dalston music venue Passing Clouds have held talks with the landlord over buying back the building, the Gazette can reveal.

Hackney Gazette: Passing Clouds supporters outside the Gee Street Courthouse in August. Picture: Polly Hancock.Passing Clouds supporters outside the Gee Street Courthouse in August. Picture: Polly Hancock. (Image: Archant)

Eleanor Wilson, founder of the independent arts hub in Richmond Road, met Landhold Developments on Tuesday, where the developers agreed to consider a proposal from the campaign group to purchase the lease.

It follows the announcement in October that Hackney Council had made the venue an Asset of Community Value (ACV).

That effectively meant should Landhold look to sell it, the community would be given six months to stump up enough money to buy it.

Hackney Gazette: Passing Clouds, before and after being repossessed. (Picture: www.samr.co).Passing Clouds, before and after being repossessed. (Picture: www.samr.co). (Image: Archant)

Usually that doesn’t happen, but Passing Clouds has thousands of supporters, including high profile names like Paloma Faith, Gilles Peterson and even London mayor Sadiq Khan, giving them a fighting chance.

Mayor Philip Glanville said at the time: “I hope the ACV serves as a boost to the campaigners and sends out a message to the owners that this venue and the community around it is important and should be considered in any future plans.”

The Gazette understands the venue is meeting potential investors this week and is also exploring a community purchase option.

Hackney Gazette: Passing Clouds supporters march from Hoxton Square to the venue in Richmond Road Dalston on 17.09.16.Passing Clouds supporters march from Hoxton Square to the venue in Richmond Road Dalston on 17.09.16. (Image: Archant)

There is an air of caution among the campaigners, however.

The venue thought it was making progress with Landhold back in July over the lease of the building, only for them to be evicted weeks later.

Staff at Landhold Developments said they could not comment on the ongoing situation when the Gazette contacted the company.