Hundreds of people have signed a petition urging landlords to renew the lease on a science centre so it does not have to move from its observatory site.

The Observatory Science Centre (OSC) in Herstmonceux has been told it has to leave its current site at an observatory by the end of 2026. 

The domes and telescopes will remain at the existing site.

The site, which has been used by the OSC since 1995, was previously the Royal Observatory. It employed nearly 200 scientists who moved from Greenwich in the 1950s. But, in the early 1990s it fell into disuse until the Science Centre was set up.

On hearing the news that the landlord would not renew the OSC's lease, Zara Drake from Hastings set up a petition on Change.org urging the landlords to reconsider their decision.

At the time of writing, more than 1,000 people have signed it.

READ MORE: Looking back: Herstmonceux era of focusing on galaxies

On the petition page, Ms Drake writes: "The Canadian landlords, Queen’s University, who also own Herstmonceux Castle, are not renewing the Science Centre’s lease, so come the end of the 2026 season the Science Centre will be homeless.

"Over the years the science centre has worked tirelessly to fund and restore the site and the telescopes back to their former glory. 

"The centre is a major venue for exhibitions, lectures and educational programmes. The renovated telescopes provide a unique setting for the general public, schools, colleges, and brownie and scout groups to learn about science, space and the world around them."

In the meantime, the OSC team said it is on the hunt for new premises.

Abbie Rumbold, interim CEO of the Observatory Science Centre, said: “We will be very sad to leave the Observatory, which has been our home for the past 30 years but we are excited at the prospect of finding a new location for our many spectacular interactive science exhibits.

"We hope that moving will allow us to develop. Hopefully with increased accessibility so that more members of the community can benefit.

"Until then it will be business as usual – we are looking forward to a great summer and then a year packed full of events for our 30th anniversary in 2025."

Ms Rumbold asked anyone who knows anywhere that might suit the OSC to contact her at abbie@science-projects.org.