A community asset will be in community ownership after councillors voted unanimously to transfer an historic hall to a village trust.

Marsden Mechanics Hall will soon belong to Marsden Community Trust after Kirklees Council Cabinet members agree to hand over the Victorian hall.

The trust was set up in 2014 to acquire and manage the hall after the council announced its intention to sell or mothball the building, said to be costly to maintain and run.

As well as the hall, the trust will own and be responsible for the courtyard.

Under the deal, the majority of the hall is restricted to community use while 30% can be used for commercial purposes.

A section of the hall will be leased back to the council at zero rent and will continue to be used as a public library.

Some of the hall will also be leased to Marsden Infant And Nursery School for an agreed fee to use as an extra classroom.

Marsden Mechanics Hall Management Committee Chairman Pete Toon and Hall Manager Janet Maude with repaired clock.

The move, which is set to save Kirklees Council £25,600, was welcomed by councillors and Marsden Community Trust.

Council leader Clr David Sheard, speaking at the Cabinet meeting at Huddersfield Town Hall, told the trust: “I hope the building is a full success and we will do all we can to help you with that.”

Fiona Russell, of Marsden Community Trust, warned that the hall would need a large amount of investment and work.

Ms Russell said the lift, boiler and several windows needed replacing and that the conservatory was in a poor condition.

She said: “We face a number of serious and pressing issues.”

However Cabinet member for resources, Clr Graham Turner, said: “I have no doubt this will be a successful venture for the people of Marsden and the wider area and it is a great example of communities doing more for themselves.”

Marsden Mechanics Hall was opened in 1861 and is a Grade II listed building.

Marsden Mechanics in 1978
Marsden Mechanics in 1978

The original purchase price of the land was five shillings (25p) a square yard and the building cost £2,500 to build, cash which was raised by public subscription and the Mechanics has been at the centre of village life ever since.

First established by Marsden residents as an educational institute for millworkers, for a century it was well used by the local community, offering a venue for lectures, meetings, concerts and dances.

By the late 1970s it was in poor condition and faced the threat of demolition.

Following an extensive and prolonged local campaign, the Mechanics Hall received a substantial grant from the Rural Development Commission for renovation of the building.