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ROOF repairs on Ilkley's Winter Garden building on Station Road have been delayed yet again, as the contractor hired to do the job walked out.

Officials at City Hall have been left red faced by the last- minute hitch, which has added to the previous problems with the work.

The eight to 12 week job was scheduled to start this month after being held over from last year. In anticipation of the work being carried out, events usually held at the venue at this time of year have been moved elsewhere, resulting in a loss of much-needed revenue for the building.

The Winter Garden is usually one of the venues for the Wharfedale Festival of Performing Arts which is taking place this week, but organisers moved to the Craiglands Hotel.

Wallace Sampson, Bradford Council's strategic director of customer services, said: "Unfortunately, the contractor who was due to carry out the replacement of the Winter Garden rooflights withdrew without notice at a very late stage. We have had to start again to find a contractor willing and able to carry out this highly specialised work on the roof.

"We are now seeking a contractor who can do this work and who will work with us to ensure the hall's users later in the year, including the Ilkley Literature Festival, are not going to be inconvenienced.

"We anticipate, subject to ongoing negotiations, that work will start in the autumn and finish by Christmas. We are working very hard to get the project back on track."

Ilkley District and Parish Councillor Anne Hawkesworth said three alternative contractors were in negotiations with City Hall and tenders were being awaited.

Coun Hawkesworth said: "I was very upset when I heard. All this to-ing and fro-ing over the past 18 months has been unacceptable, but the end game is that we will achieve a new roof on the Winter Garden.

"It is extremely disappointing, but I expect it to be done as quickly as possible."

3:45pm Friday 16th May 2008

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