By Don Mort, local democracy reporting service
Additional reporting: John Baron, WLD editor
The new owner of Pudsey Town Hall has pledged to ‘carefully consider’ the historic building’s future.
WLD reported on Saturday that Manchester-based AGHA Group, which sells and rents out commercial and residential properties, had bought the property from Leeds City Council for £575,000.
An AGHA spokesperson said today: “We are very pleased to have acquired the building and are excited about the opportunity to carefully consider its future and how it can once again play a positive role within the local community.
“We fully appreciate the town hall’s importance and the strong connection that local residents have with the building and its heritage.
“As we develop our plans, we will be mindful of that history and the sentiments of the local community.”
The Victorian building has not been open to the public since 2016 and was partially used by Pudsey and District Civic Society.
Attempts were made by the Civic Society to have it listed as an asset of community value (ACV), and have it classed as a protected site by Historic England.
The four-storey hall, built around 1890 on Robin Lane, went up up for sale after cash-strapped council bosses said it was costing too much to maintain. Its sale was approved in January, despite more than 1,000 people signing a petition against the move.
In a statement, a Leeds City Council spokesperson said: “The council can confirm that the sale of Pudsey Town Hall has been completed to AGHA Group for £575,000.
“As yet, we have no indication of AGHA Group’s plans for the building following the sale.”
The property’s sale price was £575,000, plus fees at 4% which totals £598,000. Leeds City Council has previously stated five offers were received as the local authority looks to balance its books.
AGHA Group will need to secure planning permission for the change of use of a historically significant building within a conservation area.
Pudsey councillor Simon Seary (Cons) said he hoped historic features of the building, such as the council chamber, would be retained.
- Follow WLD’s ongoing coverage on the future of Pudsey Town Hall here.
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