Coun Andrew Willoughby and Coun Pam Godsell from Knaresborough Town Council are pleased to report that the project is now finally moving ahead.

This follows the idea of a new, modern structure first being mooted in 2000 to mark the Millennium, but never having got off the ground..

“Work is going ahead to bring a new bandstand to Knaresborough and the Council has commissioned the International Centre for Responsible Tourism, which is part of Leeds Metropolitan University, to write a professional business plan for the project, to build and run the proposed pavilion,” said Coun Willoughby.

“Many people will remember the original bandstand was taken down more than 50 years ago, to be replaced by a temporary, prefabricated wooden bandstand.

“This was in use for over 20 years but when it fell into disrepair, it was removed by Harrogate Borough Council.”

Coun Willoughby added that the town council now intended to build a permanent structure suitable for today’s larger bands, but also suitable for other performances such as dramas, the arts, concerts etc.

“The Castle Top is the ideal place. The grounds are part of the Scheduled Monument so various permissions are required and the business plan will help get these,” he added.

Chairman of the Council’s Community Services Committee, Coun Godsell said: ”This plan will explain to everyone concerned just what we want to do.

“It will describe what, where and why and move things on to the next stage.”

If you would like to show your support for a Performance Pavilion, members of Knaresborough Civic Society will be collecting signatures tomorrow in the Market Place.

The society will be at the Market Cross from 10.30am-4pm and it would like anyone keen to see a new structure built in the grounds to sign the petition.

Organiser, Shirley Head said: “Before any planning can proceed, Harrogate Borough Council has asked Knaresborough Town Council to provide a business plan.

“The signatures collected by the Civic Society will play a vital part in the plan enabling Harrogate Council to assess the demand for a pavilion by Knaresborough residents and visitors.

“After tomorrow, which happens to mark the start of Civic Society Week when all societies are expected to do something useful in their own communities, we plan to collect more signatures by contacting locals clubs, societies, busineeses and churches, in fact, all groups associated with the town.”

l If you would like petition forms for your group, or would like to help collect signatures tomorrow, please call Shirley on 01423 862326 or Althea on 01423 861435.