The owners of Ilkley town hall have said they will consider offers to take over the running of the historic building.

The landmark is currently managed by Bradford Council, along with several other civic buildings in the town, including the King’s Hall and Winter Garden, the library and the pool and lido.

But with the number of services at the town hall diminishing during the last two decades and the Council keen to make savings, there have been calls for the buildings to be taken over by an Ilkley-based trust.

Although no concrete offers have been made, the idea of an Ilkley trust has been mooted by several people, including ward councillor Anne Hawkesworth, former leader of the Conservative group on Bradford Council and former Ilkley parish councillor.

And now, a member of Bradford Council’s executive has admitted the authority would be ‘happy’ to discuss any offer the parish council might come up with to run the town hall.

Coun David Green, the executive member for regeneration, said: “As far as I am aware, there has been no formal approach from Ilkley Parish Council regarding transferring the building, however, if we were to receive such a request then we will be more than happy to give it proper consideration.”

Heathcliffe Bowen, chairman of the parish council, admitted the future of the town hall and other buildings in Ilkley is something the authority would be keeping a close eye on.

But he said there would be a lot of things to consider before any buildings could be taken over by a trust.

“If it’s something the Council is going to have to consider, it’s going to be a significant change, not just for the Council, but for the town as a whole,” he said.

“It’s something we as a community are going to have to think about. Whatever plan we develop, it’s going to have to be a community effort.”

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