The long-running refurbishment of a popular public venue is to get £25,000 from ward councillors, despite fears about its future.

Ilkley’s three ward councillors have pledged money to the King’s Hall from a Bradford Council area initiative fund.

Councillors Mike Gibbons, Anne Hawkesworth and Martin Smith are contributing the money towards seating and lighting improvements in an effort to move the ongoing refurbishment of the King’s Hall and neighbouring Winter Garden towards completion.

Ilkley Parish Council last week turned down a £7,000 funding request from supporters’ group The Friends of the King’s Hall and Winter Garden, awaiting assurances about the future of the public halls.

There were concerns, sparked by Coun Gibbons, that the building could be sold off as Bradford Council tackles budget cuts. The completion of refurbishment work could make it more viable for a local trust to take over and run the halls.

Coun Hawkesworth said: “I’m very pleased that as all three district councillors we’ve agreed on this project, because we see this as a very important asset.”

The ward councillors wanted to move the refurbishment work forward. Thousands of pounds has already been spent in recent years on the refurbishment of the two halls, by both Bradford Council and the Friends of the King’s Hall and Winter Garden.

Improvements already made include a new heating system, the replacement of the glazed roof at the Winter Garden, redecorating, seating in the balcony and boxes of the King’s Hall, work to the changing rooms and more.