Otley Common take ownership of Methodist Church and Hall

Otley Common volunteers and members of the Otley Methodist community, including Reverend Cameron Stirk, met to hand over the keys and celebrate this remarkable achievement, ensuring the future of this very important community building and at last providing Otley with the large venue and community space it needs.

The transfer of ownership transition follows three years of planning and fundraising of over £830,000 for the local community initiative, which aims to transform the building into a shared community hub, venue and event space and a space for creativity, connection, and community-led activity.

Otley Common is a community project that formed to transform Otley Methodist Church into Otley Common, a vibrant social, cultural and entrepreneurial hub run by the community, for the community. It will be a place for everyone to meet, work and play, incorporating a live music and comedy venue, a theatre with rehearsal space, a home for community groups and classes and providing affordable studio space for artists and small businesses, plus a community café for all.

Otley Common is a not-for-profit Community Benefit Society, which means it will operate for the benefit of the community with profits to be reinvested back into Otley Common and activity for the common good.

The transfer of ownership also secures the future of worship and a meeting place for the Otley Methodist community, who will continue to use the building, alongside other community groups and organisations.

The Common team hopes to do a full relaunch and opening early next year. The current tenants, including the local Methodist congregation, will continue to operate in the building over this period and into the future.

Now the purchase has been completed, the real hard work starts, with the coming three months seeing a period of renovation, alongside the development of an operating model to guide the building’s long-term future.

The Otley Common team is now calling for more volunteers to help bring the space to life — particularly those who can assist with practical work, governance, fundraising, and operational roles. They are also keen to connect with local tradespeople and businesses willing to support the renovation effort. Anyone interested in getting involved is encouraged to reach out via the Otley Common website or social media channels or email Andrew Howarth, Otley Common's Activation Lead at hello@otleycommon.org

Now that ownership has been secured, the Otley Common team are asking local people to donate to pay for necessary renovations and to then be able to provide services for the community. People can donate via the website or get in touch with the team if you would like to invest in the project.

Andrew Howarth, Otley Common's Activation Lead and Rev. Cameron Stirk, the local Methodist minister, with Otley Common volunteers and members of the Methodist community (Image: submitted)

Otley Common's Activation Lead, Andrew Howarth, toasted the transfer of ownership and praised the support they’ve received during the long process: “We’re absolutely delighted that after three years of hard work and fundraising, that we now own Otley Common, meaning that Otley can have a major events and theatre space and a real community hub for the town.

“We are hugely grateful to the Otley Methodists for their patience, support and belief in our vision. We would also like to thank all the people who have invested and donated to make this project possible. Most importantly, we would like to show our gratitude to our incredible volunteers who have given thousands of hours to make this possible. This has been a journey rooted in shared values and a deep commitment to the town. Now we look forward to together making Otley Common a reality.”

Speaking on behalf of the local Methodist community, Rev. Cameron Stirk said: "Otley Methodist Church are delighted to hand over the ownership of their former building to Otley Common. It has been a long journey for us as a congregation, but we are delighted that the building will continue to be used for learning, community gathering and welcoming all kinds of people into what is a significant space. We wish Otley Common well and look forward to continuing to use the building week by week for our regular Sunday services."

Welcoming the news on behalf the town council, Town Mayor Cllr Paul Carter said: “It is absolute wonderful news that Otley Common have taken ownership of Otley Methodist Church, to provide the large venue, event space and community hub that Otley needs. This is a huge achievement and a real testament to the community spirit in the town. To have raised such a massive sum is remarkable, as well as the many hours of work Otley Common volunteers have put it. All involved should be immensely proud and I hope the whole community will fully get behind Otley Common and then celebrate and enjoy this amazing community venue and hub.”