Hullabaloo in Shipley set to open in day as community hub

Hullabaloo, based at Westgate, Shipley, will open its doors to the public during traditional weekday office hours as it aims to become a community hub.

Owner Jimmy Greenwood, who opened the site in October 2017, wants to see his popular pub and street food outlet shared with diverse community hub activities in daytime hours during the week.

The proposed hours that the pub would be open for community projects would be Monday to Friday between 9am and 4pm. The pub opens in its traditional guise from 4pm on weekdays and would be remain as a pub at weekends.

Inside the Shipley pub looking to become a community hub (Image: Newsquest)

Alcohol would not be sold inside the pub during the daytime community hours, but tea and coffee would be made available.

No date has been set to open the pub up in the daytime to the community, but it has been described as happening imminently.

From left, Mike Connors, chair of Shipley Town Council and Jimmy Greenwood, owner of Hullabaloo (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Greenwood said: “It is a way to give back. For it to be used more and more would lead to more revenue.

“It’s a community pub. That’s what it was set up to be.

Hullabaloo in Shipley plans to be open during traditional weekday office hours (Image: Newsquest)

“It’s a nice space and should be utilised as much as possible. It’s fitting, as it is bright and cheerful and groups can be comfortable and happy in it.

“I have asked Shipley Town Council and a number of other local partners to work together to convert Hullabaloo into a community pub and hub.”

The size of the space at Hullabaloo means it could be used for many community activities when the venue is closed.

The pub could be used by a host of groups including for 'hot desking' (Image: Newsquest)

There is potential use for offices for employees to use for ‘hot desking’, as a leisure space, meeting areas for existing and new groups who need premises.

Mike Connors, chair of Shipley Town Council (STC), said: “STC champions a variety of community groups in Shipley.

“I believe a community ‘pub ‘n’ hub’ would be a great asset for the town.

“Every group that comes here (to Hullabaloo) blends in somehow. It’s almost like a throwback.

One of then areas inside the Shipley pub available soon for community use (Image: Newsquest)

“The community process is underway. The majority of the work has been done.”

Longer-term plans are to further develop Hullabaloo into a leading arts and entertainment events setting.

The first volunteer working group has secured start-up funding; this will be followed up by a Community Share Offer. This offer is a withdrawable, non-transferrable equity investment into a cooperative or community benefit society.

Community groups looking to use the venue in the future can email hullabaloobarshipley@hotmail.com