300 turn out in campaign to save Cleckheaton Town Hall

Cutbacks announced by Kirklees Council mean the historic building, which dates back to the 1800s, is due to be mothballed.

On Saturday, councillors encouraged the community to show their love for the building as part of a campaign to save the town hall.

People gather outside Cleckheaton Town Hall in a bid to save the historic building from closure (Image: Roger V Moody)

Organisers said that around 300 people turned up to show their support and they were able to form a ring right around the building.

The building is used by the University of the Third Age (U3A), for stage productions from the Cleckheaton & Spenborough Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society and local dance schools, as well as the Cleckheaton Folk Festival.

It also hosts public events and career fairs.

Kath Pinnock (Lib Dem, Cleckheaton) said: “Seeing so many people surround the town hall with their placards should send a loud, clear message to cabinet about what it means to people in Spen to have their main Council building shut down.

"I was expecting quite a few to turn up but folk in Cleckheaton and our neighbours did us proud.

“What we want this Council to understand is how mothballing the town hall, instead of investing in it, threatens our communities and our local businesses.

"They need to realise that the town hall is not just an asset on paper but that it is greater than the sum of its parts.

“Groups like U3A meet to learn but friendships are made and they look out for each other. Vital footfall to town centre shops and cafes is being lost at a time when they need it most.”

People gather outside Cleckheaton Town Hall in a bid to save the historic building from closure (Image: Roger V Moody)

She added that they were inviting the new Council chief executive Steve Mawson to come and see for himself “just how valuable this lovely building is to everyone here”.

Cllr Pinnock previously told the Telegraph & Argus that it was understood the closure would save the Council £170,000 a year in running costs, but as it was well-used the income nearly covered the cost of running it.

In September the T&A reported how the complete closure, which is set to take place in January 2024, was part of measures by Kirklees Council to save the £47 million needed to balance its books.

This involves a saving of around £455,000 by reviewing its property estate – including the district’s town halls and other buildings across Dewsbury.