Council seeking partners to manage historic town hall

The local authority last year agreed to transfer the historic building to a trust or similar organisation after considering options for its future including selling off the landmark.

The council is now inviting trusts, voluntary and community sector organisations to submit expressions of interest for the management of the 19th century building.

There are options to include management of Craven Museum and Gallery, Skipton Tourist Information Centre and 17 High Street.

The museum is based in the Town Hall.

Craven Council leader Councillor Chris Knowles-Fitton said: “This is a unique opportunity to re-invigorate a valued community facility and to create a vibrant, dynamic and commercially viable building. Transferring the management of the town hall is the best way to secure a viable future for the building and to get it the investment it needs.

“At the same time residents can rest assured that we are committed to ensuring that Skipton Town Hall remains available for community use.”

The decision to transfer Skipton Town Hall to a trust or a similar organisation was hailed as a victory for residents who came out in force to try to save the listed building after the council announced it was considering putting the landmark on the market, deeming it a “huge drain” on resources.

Skipton Town Council is keen to play a key role in running the building.

Its leader Paul English said: “At a recent meting of Skipton Town full Council I outlined the options open to us. One was that we do nothing. One was that we jump in with both feet and take it on ourselves but that would probably be unaffordable.

“The third option was to go into partnership with a trust to take it over and manage it.

The fourth option was to let a trust take over and we would be sitting tenants.

“Our preferred option is option three. We would like to have some input in the actual management and running of the Town Hall. We are aware of two potential trusts who have shown an interest.”

The closing date for submissions is March 11.