A community group has agreed to rent a Grade II-listed hall at risk of closure.

Members of the Queensbury Community Program (QCP) will rent Victoria Hall for the next two years following an agreement with property owners Bradford Council.

The council had planned to close the historic building and was considering selling it for redevelopment.

But a campaign has been launched to save it, with an online petition signed by nearly 2,500 people.

QCP had already operated the facility on behalf of the council since 2018.

But the group will now be responsible for liability and running costs, which will save the council £65,000 a year. Managers can also apply for restoration grants.

Director Stephen Thompson said: “Personally I’m delighted. I think it’s absolutely fantastic news. We’ve all worked so hard over the last five years.

“I think we did a great job; that’s blowing our own trumpet, of course!

“I will say at this stage that we are working very well with local councilors and local council officers are also working quite well to be fair.

“I think we all have one goal and that is to save Victoria Hall.”

He added: “I think a huge commitment needs to be made to the people of Queensbury. The support we have behind us to achieve this is absolutely phenomenal.”

Queensbury councilor Luke Majkowski was among those fighting to save the hall.

He said: “I’m humbled to be honest. This is some of the best news we’ve had in Queensbury for many years.”

“It really gave us the freedom to go and there was always this wall that was stopping us, that wall is removed and we can run with it.”

Like other local authorities, Bradford Council is willing to sell or transfer assets to cover budget shortfalls.

Councilor Alex Ross-Shaw said: “We are delighted that we have been able to work with QCP to deliver this agreement and that this much-loved building can continue to be a vital hub for the people of Queensbury.”

Victoria Hall was built in 1891 and was financed by the Foster family, who owned the local Black Dyke Mills. The Fosters also provided housing, shops and recreational facilities for their workers in Queensbury.

The hall’s original layout included a concert venue, gallery seating, library and billiards room. He was also the sponsor of the factory’s famous band.

It served as a social club, educational institute and recreation center for the village.

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