YEADON Town Hall is to open its doors to the public

this weekend for the first time since it was taken over by a community interest company.

The new managers of the Grade II listed building are staging an open afternoon from 12 noon to 4pm on Saturday, April 13.

Visitors are being invited in free of charge to look around the town hall’s rooms, including the impressive main auditorium.

The event will include an exhibition and displays detailing future plans for the building. A large projection screen in the main auditorium will allow visitors to discover Yeadon Town Hall CIC’s plans for the restoration.

The team will be on-hand throughout the event to answer any questions, and volunteers will give advice to anyone wanting to find out more about how to get involved.

The main focus of the event will be to offer more information about Restoration 2020, Yeadon Town Hall’s fundraising campaign which is aiming to raise £100,000 to support the full refurbishment of the building.

Local people, businesses and organisations can get involved by buying a plaque as part of the Town Hall’s ‘Wall of Fame’, or through a variety of other sponsorship opportunities.

Suggestion boxes and memory books in the main auditorium will give local people the chance to share their thoughts about the building.

The newly rebranded Town Hall Tavern, which is mid-way through its refurbishment, will be open for visitors to relax and enjoy a drink from a selection including the new Town Hall Blonde. Tea, coffee and cake will also be available at the event.

There will be live music in the auditorium and activities such as having a go on the sound and lighting desks. The box office will also be available for anyone wanting to find our more about upcoming events or to buy tickets. Visitors can also go on the hunt for discount vouchers at each of the activity stations.

Jamie Hudson, Director of Yeadon Town Hall CIC, said: “We’re already well on our way with the restoration, and we’re excited to welcome people to our transformed Town Hall Tavern. Our ultimate goal is to serve the community and provide a great place to visit - so we want to be as transparent and welcoming as possible at every stage of our restoration.

Hopefully the public will get involved and help us make our vision a reality.”

To find out more about Yeadon Town Hall’s Restoration 2020 project, visit www.yeadontownhall.co.uk or contact Box Office on 0333 666 33 66.

Yeadon Town Hall, which dates back nearly 140 years, officially passed into the hands of the Yeadon Town Hall Community Interest Company on April 1. The group is aiming to return the building to its former glory.