The future of a community venue has been cast into doubt after Kirklees Council announced it was no longer taking bookings.

Holme Valley Parish Council has convened an ‘emergency’ meeting after Kirklees Council announced it would not be taking bookings for Holmfirth Civic Hall after March 31 next year.

The building, part of which dates back to 1842, was one of 56 council buildings and plots earmarked for sale or transfer over the next two years.

The meeting takes place at the Council Offices in Huddersfield Road, Holmfirth, on Wednesday (6pm).

A parish council spokesman said: “Members are seeking an emergency, extraordinary full council meeting to enable them to pursue the community asset transfer of Holmfirth Civic Hall.

“The hall is due to stop taking bookings from March 31, 2016 by Kirklees Council which is jeopardising future events and activities in the hall.

“This will impact on the revenue income for the hall, thus affecting its future viability.”

The parish council and Holmfirth Civic Hall Ltd – a not-for-profit company set up by villagers – hope to take over responsibility for the hall.

But the parish council has said it needs £10,000 to cover administration costs which will include employing a surveyor, architect and other professionals.

The spokesman added: “To enable the supporting documentation to be developed for the community asset transfer, the working group require up to £10,000.

“Although some of this work can be done by current staff and by councillors, it may be necessary to commission third party professionals including a surveyor, architect, web developer, printer/designer, room hire, mail-outs, business plan development.

“Any closure of community buildings in Holmfirth also jeopardises the parish council in having an office base.

“Due to the timescales imposed by Kirklees and the work of the Holmfirth Civic Hall Ltd group, a decision needs to be taken immediately.”

Chris Little, of Holmfirth Civic Hall Ltd, added: “These are exciting times for the civic hall but also, potentially, dangerous.

“Local people are trying to save the building from closure and make the hall a thriving hub within Holmfirth.

“However, the community needs to support this activity.”

Due to budget cuts Kirklees Council has said it can no longer look after the Victorian building, which is used by numerous community groups.

The council plans to gift the hall to the community via asset transfer.