ANOTHER approach has been made about taking over and re-opening Otley Civic Centre.

The Town Council heard last week that the previously publicised Venue 21 bid, to rebrand the historic building as an entertainment hub, had been submitted to Leeds City Council.

Now the local authority, which owns the property, has confirmed it has received a further ‘expression of interest’ – and may invite more.

Details of the new proposals are yet to be disclosed, but they are also thought to be for an entertainment/arts sector venture.

Otley Town Council leader Cllr John Eveleigh (Lab, Ashfield) has welcomed the news.

He said: “Clearly it is early days, but from a position where the future was far from certain the building is now attracting commercial interest.

“This is quite encouraging and brings the likelihood of something happening with the Civic Centre closer.

“The town council’s feasibility study on the running costs – about £200,000 a year – showed it is no longer economical to use the building as council offices. By far the most financially viable use would be as an entertainment and community hub.”

The town council voted unanimously to back the Venue 21 plans, drawn up by local businessman Jamie Hudson. Cllr Eveleigh recently met Councillor Richard Lewis (Lab, Pudsey), the city council’s Executive Member for Transport and the Economy, to discuss the new development.

Cllr Lewis said: “Leeds and Otley councils have been seeking a financially sustainable future for the building. It is encouraging that the various parties on Otley Town Council have reached the same conclusion about the future use of the building.

“While there is still a lot to do I think that there are grounds for optimism that this long-running saga can be resolved.”

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate Greg Mulholland has repeatedly challenged the council’s stance over the Civic Centre’s future.

Arguing that the building would be better served as a town hall partially occupied by the council, Mr Mulholland recently called for a referendum to be held to let the public decide the issue.