AMBITIOUS plans to transform Otley Civic Centre into an entertainment venue are less certain after the man behind the scheme admitted the chances of raising the funding were “questionable”.

Although the Venue21 proposals are still on the table, Otley businessman Jamie Hudson said it could take more than two years to raise the £3.5 million required to bring the building up to an acceptable standard.

He has also expressed doubts about whether the town would be able to sustain two venues programming similar shows.

Mr Hudson, who runs Futurist Sound and Light, revealed there was now another company interested in developing the building.

He said: “Venue21 proposals still stand as a viable option for LCC to peruse and we have been working hard with them to create a viable proposal, business plan and restoration scheme to see the Civic Centre reopened as a viable entertainment hub, with a strong emphasis on performing arts.

“To reopen the building to an acceptable standard (DDA compliant) would cost circa £3.5 million plus. You can add £350,000 every year the building is shut and unheated.

“Leeds City Council has a responsibility to look after more than 4,000 public buildings. Otley Civic Centre is within this pool of buildings. With an ever diminishing budget allocated to maintain these buildings, there is limited or no capital available to refurbish these buildings.

“Certainly I don’t think there is room in Otley for two venues programming similar shows, especially when there are similar venues in Ilkley, Guiseley and Yeadon.

“As a resident of Otley, I want to see the building restored and used. There has been another company interested in the venue, and rest assured they have the community’s interest at heart otherwise I would have not introduced them to LCC. It is far too early to say what this could entail, but in brief, could see the building fully refurbished, creating various smaller community rooms and retaining a larger room upstairs while offering a bar/cafe/eatery downstairs.

“There is no quick fix for the future of this building. Even if Venue21 proposals were given the green light after the election, it could take two years to even raise the money required.”