Community group hopes to secure town hall's future

Ripley Town Hall is currently used by more than 20 community groups.

A fundraiser has been set up with the aim of bringing a Grade II-listed town hall into community ownership.

Ripley Town Hall, near Harrogate, is currently managed by long-term tenants the Ripley Star Club and is used as a community hub and events venue.

The hall's owner and president of the club, Sir Thomas Ingilby, has agreed to sell the building for £400,000.

Members of the Star Club said they hoped to raise £30,000 towards the cost, and believed the purchase of the hall, with help from the Community Ownership Fund and the National Lottery, would "secure the future of community efforts".

Ripley Star Club was set up after World War Two to give veterans in the area a venue in which to socialise.

Club secretary Andrew Herrington told the BBC that members had hoped to purchase the hall for more than 20 years, before a sale was finally agreed in May.

"By buying it, we would get rid of the rent which is currently £18,500 per year and was due to increase to £21,500 before Sir Thomas agreed to sell us the property," Mr Herrington said.

"We’ve been happy as tenants who worked alongside Sir Thomas, but for the future of the building, we would prefer to be the owners."

The Ripley Castle estate is set to be sold in the autumn

Ripley Town Hall was built in 1854 and is currently used by more than 20 community groups and the local primary school.

Over the last 25 years, it has also become home to Ripley Live, which regularly hosts live music events featuring established and upcoming artists.

In addition, the hall can be booked for weddings, parties and other special occasions.

"It’s a bit of a golden era for the building," Mr Herrington said.

"During the time I've been a member - some 50-odd years - we’ve had our ups and downs, but at the moment the usage is the highest it's ever been."

He said he hoped the club would own the building by the end of the year, with the majority of funding set to come from the Community Ownership Fund as well as the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

A crowdfunder to cover the remaining sum of £30,000 has to date raised more than £6,500.

The sale of the town hall came after Sir Thomas and Lady Ingilby announced their intention to sell the Ripley Castle estate in the autumn.

The sale was likely to include the castle, grounds, coffee shops and the Boar's Head pub.

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