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New Ilkley club in response to soaring bills

A new Thursday Club starts this week in Ilkley offering free heat, hot drinks and company.

In response to the cost-of-living crisis and soaring energy bills, District Councillor Anne Hawkesworth suggested the idea; a warm space where residents could go for a few hours’ chatter, coffee and warmth.

The Winter Garden, attached to the King’s Hall on Station Road, was suggested as there is heating all the time due to a biomass boiler which is shared between in the civic buildings – town hall, library and the King’s Hall/Winter Garden.

Cllr Hawkesworth said: "I thought there was a slot which needed filling during this Winter. I know many residents slip into town during Summer and sit around, perhaps have a sandwich. Too cold to do that in Winter and heating is expensive. It really is a case of use or lose."

The club will take place each Thursday between 10am and 12.30pm on the balcony in the Winter Garden, and all drinks will be free thanks to the Friends Of King’s Hall.

The plan for the warm space club has been supported by Bradford Theatres and Tesco has offered to provide newspapers.

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