FEARS that a historic community building may be forced into closure have been quashed, despite all of its paid staff being made redundant.

The three members of staff - one full-time and two part-time - at Eccleshill Mechanics Institute have been given notices of redundancy by the Eccleshill Community Association, which operates the building.

The loss of paid staff has been put down to rising rents and reduced monetary support from Bradford Council, which is heading into its 150th anniversary year in 2018.

Councillor Geoff Reid, chairman of the ECA board, said there is a clear plan in place to run the centre using volunteers.

He said: “We are looking towards a major restructuring.

“But, with good support from the local community and continuing partnership with Bradford Council we believe that the drastic action we have taken will bear fruit well before the end of the year.

“We are looking to a greater use of volunteers and we are identifying additional funding sources.

“These are tough times for community centres across the city. Moving towards financial self-sufficiency has to happen as council grants shrink and disappear.

“The latest increases in rent and reductions in core cost support from the Council brought us to point when we had to take these painful redundancy decisions.

“Crucially, while the board will work hard to ensure that we continue, we do need more help from local people so that we do not lose this building and that it does not cease to be the community hub that it has been over many years.

“To make sure that we reach 150 years in good shape we really do need local supporters to get behind our fundraising efforts this summer.

“However we believe that we have some strong assets - such as one of the best sprung dance floors for miles around - which can contribute to future success as well as our 150 year celebrations”.

Cllr Reid confirmed groups using the building will not be affected by the changes, although in the future they may be required to make changes, which could included reducing the opening from five days a week to four.

Anyone who would like to volunteer at the Institute or make a donation is askd to call 01274 636228.