A MUCH-LOVED hall is to be restored "back to its former glory" - after a community hall formally took over the running of the historic building.

Bradford Council has today announced that the Queensbury Community Programme (QCP) group will take over the running of Victoria Hall, Queensbury.

A two-year lease of the Grade II-listed hall, built in the 1870s, has been signed by QCP today - allowing it to take over the liability and running costs of the building. 

The Bradford Council-owned hall is used for a range of services, including a nursery, youth service and various community groups.

Andrew Senior, chair of QCP, said: "We're very pleased to be able to announce that today we have formally signed a lease with Bradford Council to keep Victoria Hall open and in community hands.

"The hard work starts now in sourcing funding to restore this beautiful building, which is an absolute key part of Queensbury's heritage, back to its former glory, and to sustain it as a vital hub for the use of residents of Queensbury and the surrounding areas."

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, portfolio holder for regeneration, planning and transport at Bradford Council, said: "We are delighted that we have been able to work together with QCP to draw up this agreement and that this much-loved building can continue to be a vital hub for the people of Queensbury."

Councillor Alex Ross-ShawCouncillor Alex Ross-Shaw (Image: Archive)

A Bradford Council spokesperson said: "The future of the Bradford Council-owned building had been uncertain due to increasing running costs and a number of repairs needed, including a new boiler. 

"The building was earmarked for closure a number of years ago, but the Council spent more than £180,000 to keep it open and allow as much time as possible for a community-led solution to be found

"Now, with this transfer, the building will continue to serve the local community, and the Council can save around £65,000 a year in running costs.

"The two-year lease will give QCP the opportunity to progress refurbishment proposals and explore funding options."

QCP previously revealed how it had agreed a tenancy at will with Bradford Council in December 2019 to maintain Victoria Hall.

At a meeting in December last year, councillors heard that QCP members had been blindsided when they were handed an eviction notice and told that the Council planned to close it.

'This is a great result'

Thousands of people fought to safeguard the future of Victoria Hall.

An online petition - calling for the building to be saved from closure - was signed by nearly 2,500 people.

Labour Cllrs Alex Mitchell and Hazel Johnson, who represent Queensbury on Bradford Council, said: "Cllr Johnson and I are really pleased that Victoria Hall has been secured for the community. 

"We are grateful that the Council listened to our calls to extend the deadline for closure allowing for talks to continue between themselves and QCP. 

"This is a great result for residents.

"Community spaces are a valuable local asset - and following the huge public campaign to keep Victoria Hall open, we look forward to the work of QCP in running this much-loved venue. 

"Cllr Johnson and I wish QCP well with this venture and will be on hand to support them.

"We extend our thanks to all those involved."

Cllr Luke Majkowski, of the Conservative and Queensbury Independent Group, added: "I am extremely pleased that a lease has been signed between Bradford Council and QCP, safeguarding the future of Victoria Hall. 

"This is truly fantastic news for the residents of Queensbury, who have finally received a positive outcome after years of having local services and facilities stripped back.

"It's important to recognise that this achievement has not come easily. 

"I want to express my gratitude to everyone who was part of the Save Victoria Hall Queensbury campaign during the winter of 2023, all the QCP board members, both past and present, who worked tirelessly to make this a reality, and to the officers involved in Bradford Council."

Cllr Majkowski said he had joined the QCP board of directors to "help drive the next stage of development with the goal of transitioning Victoria Hall from a lease to a full capital asset transfer".