Funding will be sought to restore Ripon's historic town hall following the transfer of ownership to the city council, councillors have been told.
Members of North Yorkshire Council’s executive committee have approved a 99‑year lease of the building to Ripon City Council for a peppercorn rent of £1 per year.
The venue in the city’s Market Place dates from 1799 and was originally gifted to Ripon in the 1890s by the Marquess of Granby, having previously been private assembly rooms.
Councillor Heather Phillips, executive member for corporate services, said:
“Hopefully the transfer to the stewardship of the city council will mean that we can continue to see this marvellous Grade II listed building as a prominent part of the market place here.
“We may be taking a slight financial hit here, but it’s important that we continue to support our colleagues in the town, parish and city council sector to ensure that they can continue their work.”
The transfer is seen as the first major so-called double devolution deal following the formation of the unitary council in 2023.
Councillor Andrew Williams, who represents the Ripon Minster and Moorside division and is a member of Ripon City Council, thanked the unitary authority for making the transfer happen.
He said:
“It’s a building which sadly has lacked investment for decades and whilst (the council chamber) is still in a reasonable condition, you don’t have to venture far behind the wall behind you to see the neglect which sadly occurred under the previous management of Harrogate Council.”
He added:
“Our ambitions here are to try and bring this building back into proper and constructive use in much the same way as being the case in Skipton.
“We hope to put forward a strong business case to funding partners to be able to bring a whole new lease of life into this building and for it to act as a generator of economic activity in the city centre.”
The transfer could allow the council to use the ornate council chamber as a venue for weddings and events, market unused spaces for community use, and improve accessibility throughout the building.
A feasibility study and options appraisal is now planned to guide future improvements.
North Yorkshire Council will provide £55,000 in initial funding, continue to pay business rates for 2026/27, and help to secure further external investment.
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