Queen’s Hall and Community Library – Burley in Wharfedale, West Yorkshire

Creating a stronger community hub for Burley in Wharfedale

A new chapter for two community buildings

Bowman Riley was appointed by Burley Parish Council to refurbish two important community buildings in the village – the historic Queen’s Hall and the community library.

The projects were delivered alongside each other following the transfer of ownership and management from Bradford Metropolitan District Council to the Parish Council. Both buildings required investment to bring them up to modern standards, improve their functionality and secure their long-term future as valued community assets.

Together, the projects created more welcoming, flexible and accessible spaces for the local community while respecting the character and history of the existing buildings.

Queen’s Hall

Dating from 1868, the Queen’s Hall is a landmark Victorian building that had served a variety of purposes over its history, including a cinema and lecture hall. By the time Bowman Riley was appointed, the building required extensive refurbishment, from roof repairs and window replacement to improvements to its dated and inefficient internal spaces.

Following a design competition, Bowman Riley developed proposals to transform the building into a vibrant community hub.

The design introduced a range of flexible spaces for local groups, clubs and community activities, alongside catering facilities and a bar. A new single-storey extension to the rear provided a large multi-purpose space, significantly increasing the building’s flexibility.

We explored how each space could work for different activities and user groups, using 3D modelling and animation to communicate the proposals and gather feedback from the local community.

Bowman Riley specified the works, managed the competitive tender process and provided project management, contract administration and Principal Designer services through to completion.

The refurbished Queen’s Hall reopened as a flexible community venue and a renewed hub for village life.

Community Library

Alongside the Queen’s Hall, Bowman Riley refurbished Burley’s community library, a 1970s building located next to Grange Park and on the edge of a conservation area.

The refurbishment brought the building up to modern standards while retaining its relationship with the surrounding area. The design created a more welcoming and flexible environment for library users and the wider community.

The building continued to provide space for a range of local activities and groups, including a chess club, under-fives’ storytime, local history group, knitting group and reading group.

Designed around the community

The two projects shared a common ambition: to create sustainable, well-used community buildings that would continue to serve Burley in Wharfedale for years to come.

Community engagement was central to the process. At the Queen’s Hall, regular consultation helped shape the proposals and ensure the spaces responded to the needs of local groups and users.

The result was a coordinated programme of improvements that gave two important village buildings a new lease of life.

Two buildings. One community. A lasting legacy for Burley in Wharfedale.

Take a look at our community experience here.