Whitby Town Council is going to investigate the possibility of taking over the old town hall, market and market place as a community asset.
It was agreed at a full meeting of Whitby Town Council (WTC), held on Monday, a formal ‘Expression of Interest’ will be submitted to current owners, North Yorkshire Council (NYC), for the potential devolution of all three of them.
Town clerk, Ryan Fuller, was also given permission to look for grant funding, which would cover the costs of external professionals coming up with a detailed business case.
The business case would consider matters including the condition and future maintenance of the assets, operating costs and income, staffing and management arrangements, legal and governance implications, potential liabilities, and the overall financial and community benefits of the proposal.
WTC had previously agreed to submit an Expression of Interest about taking over the old town and market hall. It was stressed at Monday’s meeting, the submission doesn’t commit the council to taking the assets on but confirms interest and gives scope for further discussions on terms, liabilities and opportunities from a potential transfer.
Coun Amanda Smith said: “When this came up this council was in considerable disarray at that point in time. We did not explore fully the business proposition that was given to us.
“I agree we need a professional to have a look at what is or is not negligible in that.”
Coun Chris Riddolls said as the building is difficult for disabled access it can’t be let out, but the town clerk confirmed there is no blanket ban to letting it and a business case would explore what was and wasn’t possible.
When put to a vote, the vast majority of councillors were in agreement of exploring options for funding of a business case.
Council documents presented to the meeting say: “Bringing the Old Town Hall into local ownership would allow it to be managed holistically alongside existing assets, strengthening Whitby’s cultural infrastructure and ensuring the building is preserved and activated for public benefit under democratic local stewardship.”
Early suggestions for possible use are exhibitions, community activities and meetings, cultural events, civic ceremonies and use by creative makers.
The undercroft would continue its established role as a market on existing trading days and, on non-trading days, the space could host arts workshops, small displays and community activity, the town council suggests.
Coun Jacqui Layman called for any further plans and potential uses to be brought back before the council and the public before final decisions are made.
The grade II listed old town hall and market place are currently undergoing £1.2m worth of works, in a project funded by NYC, to repair and restore the building and make it more structurally sound.
Work was supposed to have been finished by now, but barriers and hoardings still surround the site.
The floor space in both the first floor and undercroft will be repurposed to provide year-round community and cultural activities, a set of steps created leading down from the undercroft, paving replaced with cobbled stones and anchor points installed for market stalls.
Since 1640, Whitby Market Place has hosted a public building. Initially, a toll booth commissioned by Sir Hugh Cholmley was built to house officers who collected tolls for the Lord and Lady of the manor during markets and fairs. The funds collected were used for the maintenance of Whitby Abbey. This original structure also served as a court of Pie Poudre, where market disputes were settled.
Over time, the original building fell into disrepair and was deemed unsuitable for Whitby. Consequently, it was dismantled, and in 1788, the current Town Hall was constructed. This new building was commissioned by Nathaniel Cholmley, a prominent local figure and descendant of Sir Hugh Cholmley. The architect for the project was Jonathan Pickernell, another Whitby local.
