THE COMMUNITY centre for Steeton and Eastburn has become self-financing after proving a hit with local people.

The Community Hub has attracted a range of regular user groups since being built in 2013 with a mix of parish council and grant cash.

And the parish council-run building, on Skipton Road in Steeton, is also booked for about 200 parties a year.

Council chairman David Mullen said that despite early criticism of the building looking like a giant shed, had had become well-received and was paying for itself through hire charges.

He said: “That was always the plan. We always thought it would take three years before we could cover the costs, but we were faster than we thought.

“There really is a myriad of groups using the building. There are around 200 kids’ parties each year booked by people as far away as Silsden, Cross Hills and Keighley.”

The hub is used for training by Airedale NHS Trust, the Community Responders and a private hospital in Steeton.

Cllr Mullen said a travelling theatre company would this Christmas present its third annual pantomime, following the runaway success of previous performances.

Although running costs are covered by hire charges, the council occasionally seeks grants or carries out fundraising for major repairs and improvements.

At present the council is looking at replacing the lighting system because it can no longer find suitable bulbs.

The community hub cost about £400,000 to construct, furnish and equip, with most of the money coming from Steeton-with-Eastburn Parish Council and environmental charity bodies Wren and Yorventure.

It was built next to Steeton bowling green, replacing the old bowling pavilion and providing extra space for other village groups.

Facilities include a large function room that can be split into two and a smaller meeting room.

The hub’s management committee is made up of councillors and members of the public.