(Image: T&A)
Residents have been left “heartbroken” by the closure of a community centre, according to one MP.
The Hive Community Centre, on Elliott Street in Silsden, announced its official closure on September 30 after ten years of service.
Owners cited funding and operational issues as the reason for their decision.
Bradford Council has also admitted to being "shocked" by the announcement.
The Hive Community Centre, Silsden (Image: T&A)
'This is a tremendous loss'
Robbie Moore, MP for Keighley and Ilkley, has spoken out against the closure.
He said: “I am deeply saddened by the news that the trustees of The Hive Community Centre in Silsden have taken the decision to close the much-loved community hub.
“This is a tremendous loss not only for Silsden, but for all the surrounding towns and villages.
"The Hive has always meant so much to local people.
“It provided a space to bring our community together and offered vital activities and support for residents of all ages.”
'I share their disappointment entirely'
Mr Moore explained that many local residents have reached out to him following the announcement.
He said: “Since the closure, I have been inundated with correspondence from heartbroken residents, and I share their disappointment entirely.
“This loss cuts particularly deep given the recent refurbishment work to create a new youth and activity room which I was delighted to see for myself when I last visited in early August.
“It is my firm belief that preserving valued community assets must always be a priority, and I sincerely hope a way forward can be found for The Hive.”
'The building will remain closed while we review our options'
The closure comes after earlier efforts to protect the site from development.
In October 2021, a petition was launched opposing Bradford Council's plans to sell a playing field next to the centre.
A spokesperson for Bradford Council said: "We only found out about the closure of The Hive Community Centre just over a week ago, so we were also shocked at the announcement.
"The building will remain closed while we review our options.”
Councillors react to closure
Airedale ward councillors have since voiced concerns about the impact of the closure and are calling for action to restore essential services.
Councillor Peter Kirk (Cons, Airedale) said: "It was very concerning to hear the news that the HIVE would close.
"It has been a hub for a variety of services in Silsden that I know many local people relied on."
Councillor George Buckley (Cons, Airedale) added: "I am very concerned to hear about the closure of The Hive and share the fears of local people about the loss of this facility and more importantly the services that operated from the centre.