Historic Leeds town hall sale to go ahead despite public outcry

Leeds City Council will proceed with putting disused Pudsey Town Hall on the market as part of cost-saving measures.

Plans to sell the Victorian building triggered a public backlash last summer when more than 1,000 people signed a petition against the move.

Councillors asked for the sale decision to be re-considered, saying there was not enough consultation on the buliding’s future.

But it was given the go-ahead by a council scrutiny board following a debate requested by opposition members.

Conservative Andrew Carter said alternative uses for the building, which dates back to the late 1800s, were not properly considered.

He told a Civic Hall meeting the sale would be an act of “civic vandalism.”

Coun Carter, who represents the nearby Calverley and Farsley ward, said: “I think the people of Pudsey will be bitterly disappointed if Pudsey Town Hall is sold.”

Councillors were told the building had not been open to the public since 2016 and was only partially used by Pudsey and District Civic Society.

Concerns were raised that historic memorabilia stored in the building could be lost if the sale went ahead.

Trish Smith, Pudsey Reform UK councillor, spoke as a director of Pudsey Town Hall Community Interest Company, a non-profit organisation trying to make use of the building.

She said: “We have credible partners and a workable operating model. Our plan is practically phased.”

Labour-controlled Leeds City Council said the building was costing too much to maintain and alternative options were considered.

The town hall is expected to be put up for sale after financial details were discussed in private at Monday’s meeting (January 5).

The proposed sale was debated as part of the council’s “call-in” process, which can see executive decisions referred for re-consideration.

In a split decision, councillors instead voted to release the sale decision for implementation.