By John Baron
Under-threat Pudsey Civic Hall is now taking bookings until at least December – but a decision is still to be taken on its long-term future, council chiefs have confirmed.
Proposals to close the 54-year-old facility were revealed in December 2023, amid a wide range of city-wide budget cuts. It’s understood the land would potentially be made available for sale.
The building had been taking bopopks up until March, to accommodate events originally set for Morley Town Hall, which has closed for refurbishment. WLD understands the town hall’s re-opening has been further delayed.
A statement posted on social media by Councillors Peter Carlill and Craig Timmins (Lab, Calverley & Farsley) said: “We are pleased to share that Pudsey Civic Hall will be staying open and taking bookings until at least the end of 2026.
“No final decision has yet been made about the long-term future of the venue, but we believe there are opportunities – both under council control and outside it. We are actively exploring all possible outcomes and working to find a way to allow the venue to stay open and available for the community.
“We will continue to study and request further details of the building’s condition and finances thoroughly as we do understand the difficulties of funding the expensive works the building needs, taking into account the current cost pressures on the council, without putting put any other council services at risk.
“We have previously met with local organisations to explore possible investment opportunities and additional uses for the building, and are in continuing discussions with the council to find the best way forward.”
Councillor Andrew Carter (Cons, Calverley & Farsley) called for clarity on the building’s long-term future. He said: “We have known for some time that Pudsey Civic Hall would be open until at least next December, and that they were taking bookings.
“Much more serious is that we have to establish the long term future for the building as soon as possible.
“The council’s latest behaviour in the selling of Pudsey Town Hall, the closure of Calverley’s purpose built library, and the fire sale prices they are getting, causes me greater concerns for the future of Pudsey Civic Hall.
“This type of municipal asset stripping has to stop, it is an absolute disgrace.”
A Leeds City Council spokesperson confirmed bookings for Pudsey Civic Hall during 2026.
The spokesperson said: “We have committed to supporting bookings at Pudsey Civic Hall until the end of this year, as part of the ongoing discussions about the long-term future of the building.”
- WLD has been following local and national government cuts in West Leeds via its Cutswatch series here.
- More Pudsey news and views from WLD can be found here.
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Groups that book annual events are going to start looking elsewhere in 2027 to secure a venue. Feels like the beginning of the end.
If Morley can have their town hall refurbished, why can’t Pudsey keep their’s and the Civic Hall, since Pudsey is much larger than Morley?