OTLEY councillors re-stated their support this week for a last-chance bid to get the Civic Centre re-opened.

The business case for Venue 21, a scheme that would turn the town’s historic building into an entertainments hub, has now been lodged with Leeds City Council.

Otley Town Council leader Cllr John Eveleigh (Lab, Ashfield) shared an update he had been given by local businessman Jamie Hudson, who is leading the bid, with fellow councillors on Monday.

He said: “Jamie’s reasonably upbeat about the proposals he’s put in.

“The Venue 21 business case is in with Leeds officers but, because we’re now going into purdah – for the elections – nothing will be decided for a month or two.

“But Jamie feels fairly confident that the work he’s done will enable Leeds to support it.”

Cllr Eveleigh also hit out at MP Greg Mulholland’s recent statements on the issue, which included calling for a referendum.

The town council voted unanimously earlier this year to back Venue 21, but Mr Mulholland insists that the Grade II listed building’s future would be better secured as a town hall.

Cllr Eveleigh said: “I was somewhat surprised, two weeks after our last meeting, to be attacked in quite the way I was by the MP who seemed to be taking quite a different view from that of the town council.

“I don’t detect much enthusiasm within the council for a referendum – who would be paying for it?

“I want to reaffirm that this council’s view is very much that we are supporting the Venue 21 proposals. It’s time for everybody now to get behind Venue 21 to see if this can be pulled off.”

Cllr Philip Bye (Lib Dem, Prince Henry) said: “I desperately hope it comes off, but in my heart of hearts I don’t think it will and it will end up being sold off as flats.”

Cllr Nigel Francis (Ind, Danefield) added: “This is certainly the last chance.

“This has been dragging on for 12 or 13 years and we’ve reached a point where it either goes forward and it’s done, or it crashes.”