Community urged to make use of public areas

Selby's new amphitheatre and the revamped Market Place were unveiled last year as part of a 5m grant to breathe new life into the district and ensure its economic future.

Now Selby District Council has announced the buildings are to be made available for community events, concerts and celebrations.

The council is urging organisations such as schools, choirs, bands, theatre groups and any other interested party or individual to book these spaces to hold their own public event.

Both the amphitheatre and Market Place are run on a not-for-profit basis, which means only a nominal refundable deposit will be needed to support any clean-up necessary after each event.

Chair of Selby District Council's Social Board, Gillian Ivey, said: "These are your spaces, to be used by you for your community.

"We've put in place this new deal to make it easy for the community to book these public areas for their own celebrations or concerts.

"This arrangement is at no cost to the council or local taxpayers with only nominal charges for the use of electricity, if this is needed, for those wishing to use the areas.

"We're building on the innovative partnership already in place to invest in and develop our leisure services to benefit everyone in the town."

The heart of Selby has been transformed under the scheme which has overhauled the precinct around the historic abbey and seen improvements carried out to Gowthorpe, the main route through the town.

The project has also created a new park by the side of the River Ouse, while the Abbey precinct has been opened up and pedestrian access improved.

For more details about how to book either the amphitheatre space or the Market Place area, contact Abbey Leisure Centre, Selby on 01757 213758.