A SCHEME to re-open Otley Civic Centre as an entertainments hub has either been put on hold or withdrawn altogether, depending on who you believe.

Businessman Jamie Hudson confirmed last week that his Venue 21 bid was still viable, while acknowledging that raising the required £3.5 million would be tough.

Now Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate Greg Mulholland has had information from the owners, Leeds City Council, which he believes proves the plan has “come to nothing”.

An e-mail from the head of asset management said: “I can confirm that Jamie Hudson and his companies, The Futurist Co and Venue 21, have decided to stand back from this building for the time being and not progress their interest any further.”

It goes on to say that “another leisure operator” has expressed an interest, and that “in the light of this, and in the absence of Jamie Hudson’s interest”, the council would be seeking further offers Mr Mulholland, backed by other local Lib Dem councillors and candidates, says this leaves the civic centre, closed in 2010 by the then Lib Dem controlled town council, facing a bleak future.

He said: “After four years of pulling the wool over residents’ eyes, the reality of the Labour town council’s failure is clear for all to see.

“The news that Leeds are putting it up to offers is a bitter blow and direct result of the Labour group decision to take on the Core office, spending thousands in rent rather than investing in our public building.

“I still believe the only viable plan is for the property to be both the town hall and a theatre, with the thousands being paid to a private landlord instead invested in the civic centre and the town council working with Futurist, or another operator, to ensure the theatre and arts centre is a success.”

Mr Hudson, however, insists that the politician has simply misunderstood.

He said: “‘For the time being’ is the key point. There is no way Leeds could give us the keys tomorrow without first consulting other interested parties.

“Our proposals still stand as a viable option for Leeds to explore, once others have been invited to submit their plans.

He added: “The more the Civic Centre is used as a political hot potato, the more it aggravates the community and eventually all support or hope for a refurbished building will be lost.

“Our team, advisors to our proposal, and senior council figures have all said it would be commercial suicide to re house Otley town council back there.”

Otley Town Council leader Councillor John Eveleigh (Lab, Ashfield) said: “This is another desperate attempt by Mr Mulholland to undermine the Civic Centre and one that is factually flawed.

“Futurist has not ‘pulled out’.