FRUSTRATION at the state of Ilkley's King's Hall/Winter Gardens complex could be ended by next spring.

A decision on Arts Council funding for a study to decide how best to improve the Victorian building is due in April - and Bradford Theatres Manager John Botteley is confident that the money will be forthcoming.

Mr Botteley, addressing Ilkley Parish Council's open meeting, said he was committed to the King's Hall and understood the frustration of Ilkley residents who felt little progress was being made.

He said the process of Bradford Council applying for funding had been changed, so he and his colleagues had literally had to start again from scratch.

He said he was determined to see the building restored to its former Victorian glory, but improvements had to be paid for.

If the Arts Council funding decision did not go in the council's favour, the option of obtaining Lottery Heritage funding would be examined, said Mr Botteley.

He said he would love to pump cash into the Kings Hall but his budget meant he had to perform a difficult juggling act with limited finances. "We have to rob Peter to pay Paul," he said.

The state of the building has saddened and disgusted a number of Ilkley residents and parish councillors.

Mr Botteley said a considerable amount of work had been carried out in recent months, much of it backstage, unseen to the public eye, and £14,000 had been set aside for a variety of decorative improvements and the provision of greater facilities for disabled users of the Hall.

He said: "The older the building gets, the more we have to spend to keep still."

Ilkley resident Geoffrey Mogridge questionned the flow of money obtained from letting revenue.

He said numerous groups used the facilities, paid for the privilege yet still they were confronted by awful seating, indeed a bad deal, full stop.

"Ilkley deserves a building in pristine condition," he said.

Mr Botteley defended the lettings revenue situation. "The lettings revenue in no way covers the cost of keeping that hall open. We receive £46,000 a year. It costs vastly more than that," he said.

The hall has recently been granted a licence to be used as a wedding venue. This led to a comment from the floor expressing doubt whether anyone would want to get married there with the building in its present state. Mr Botteley said there had already been considerable interest from prospective brides and bridegrooms.

The Bradford Theatres manager said the council had approved his recommendations all the way to date, and was confident councillors would come up with the necessary money for the council's share of a study or any future lottery funding.

Ilkley Civic Society chairman Bob Tilley said: "The whole lottery debate has been going on for two years. We haven't moved a long way. Is there anything we in Ilkley can do to energise activity, to make things happen?"

Mr Botteley urged Ilkley residents to be patient - just a little bit longer.

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