'SAVE Yeadon Town Hall' protesters, who took their fight to the Civic Hall this week, have now been assured it will re-open within six months.

This promise came from Coun Bernard Atha, chairman of Leeds City Council's cultural services committee, when he addressed a group of 12 members of Yeadon Town Hall Users' Group on Monday.

The city council closed the town hall on Tuesday, December 15, because the existing electrical system was too dangerous.

Some of the protesters - most of them women - carried 'Save Yeadon Town Hall' posters. They were in an angry mood and it took tea, coffee and biscuits to soothe them before they were allowed to meet Coun Atha.

Coun Atha spent 15-minutes explaining why the town hall had had to be closed. He said the estimated cost of repairs, which included complete rewiring, would be in the region of £220,000.

"As you know we are concerned about the safety of the public and we have been told Yeadon Town Hall needs a considerable amount of work carried out before it can be re-opened for public use," he said.

Coun Atha said electricians who had inspected the town hall had told the council the hall was in a dangerous condition.

Coun Moira Dunn (Lab, Aireborough) who was accompanied by her husband Coun Mike Dunn, said she would be calling for a full inquiry regarding the sudden closure of the town hall. "My husband and myself were shocked when we heard the news," she said.

Coun Mike Dunn said: "We are determined that Yeadon Town Hall, which is the heart of the community of Yeadon, will be re-opened at the earliest opportunity and we are seeking ways and means of shortening the closure time if at all possible.

"We are also aware of the financial problems that have and will be caused to users in the meantime. We are asking the council to consider what help they can give to groups who use the town hall.

"The council is making every effort to assist groups affected to find other venues and have laid buses on to ensure audiences can attend events there," he said.

"Finally we would like to emphasise that contrary to statements made by other parties we were taken completely by surprise by the abrupt closure of the hall. Since then we have been working flat out to ensure that the closure is as brief as possible. Yeadon Town Hall will re-open and will continue to serve the people of Yeadon into the new millennium."

Jean Shaw, an official of Yeadon Charities Association, asked if it was possible for the council to provide buses to take Yeadon people from Yeadon to Guiseley Theatre.

A spokesman for the council said buses had been provided to take people from Yeadon to Guiseley Parish Church for a carol concert at a cost to the council of £1,000. He said consideration would be given to Mrs Shaw's request.

Mrs Shaw, who was concerned there could be a delay with the repair work being completed on time asked the council spokesman if the town hall would be definitely ready for use by September when the Charities Association needed the hall. She was told the hall should be open by that time.

The council spokesman told the users that an entertainments licence for a public hall demands a five-year check of the electrical equipment and wiring.

He also pointed out that the caretaker's home which is attached to the town hall had an independent electrical system.

"Security lighting and heating are being maintained because we have to make the hall safe from vandals," added the spokesman.

Couns Dunn have promised £10,000 from their mice money (members improvements for community environment money) towards the decorating of the hall once the repair work has been completed.

Meanwhile arrangements have been made for the various user groups to remove their equipment from the town hall on Saturday, January 2 between 10am and 2pm.

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