CHANGES to Skipton Town Hall costing just under £774,000 have been backed by Craven councillors.

If approved by full council, it will take the total spend on the much neglected listed building up to more than £1 million in the last year.

Second phase work will allow commercial lettings at the front of the hall, including a real ale bar. It will also allow Skipton Town Council to move from its cramped offices above Barclays Bank in the High Street to the entire first floor of the hall.

It will also see work on neighbouring 17-19 High Street, to allow its eventual marketing and letting out.

The money will come out of New Homes Bonus money, agreed by the council's Policy Committee, in addition to £25,000 to put together a bid for the Heritage Lottery.

A successful lottery bid will see major improvements to the gallery and museum and to public spaces.

Lead member, Cllr Simon Myers, said a business plan for the hall would allow commercial lettings and result in the hall paying its way, instead of being a drain on the council tax.

"We hope to provide the people of Craven with a town hall they deserve," he said.

An application for change of use for the real ale bar was expected shortly and lettings altogether could potentially be as much as £80,000 per year.

First phase work, which is due to start in October and will cost £220,000, will see a new entrance being built off Jerry Croft, replacement toilets and a lift to the first floor.

A successful lottery bid application will see museum assets such as the Roebuck collection of paintings, which are currently in storage, out on permanent show.

Work has already begun on plans for the redevelopment of the museum, gallery, community and entertainment venue.

Talks have taken place with Rural Arts with a view to arranging a series of events in 2015 to gauge future interest.

Discussions have also taken place with Skipton Camerata to explore the possibility of setting up a resident orchestra in the town hall.

Progress on the town hall was welcomed by all Skipton ward councillors Robert Heseltine, Chris Harbron, Paul English and John Kerwin-Davey.

"This is 30 years too late, but I fully support it," said Cllr Harbron.

But Cllr Heseltine did warn about relying on New Homes Bonus money, given by the government, which he thought would eventually stop.