THE organisers of Ilkley Literature Festival have spoken of their relief after Bradford Council decided to reverse it proposed cut to the Festival’s grant.

The Festival, the largest, longest established and most prestigious literature festival in the North of England and a firm favourite with thousands of local people, had been facing a 100 per cent cut in its annual funding from the Council, but a huge groundswell of support from Festival audiences, authors, public figures like John Simpson, schools, businesses and councillors from across the political spectrum have turned things around.

Ilkley Literature Festival’s Director Rachel Feldberg said: “We have had fantastic support from people right across the board and we’d like to thank everyone who took the time to come forward and make their views known.

“It has been heartening to be reminded how important literature is to people and how much the Festival means to Bradford district. We are very grateful to Bradford Council for listening and having the courage to reverse this proposal and to MP Kris Hopkins and Labour’s parliamentary candidate John Grogan for all the support they have given us – and the hard work they have put into this.

“Bradford has shown us a fine example of democracy in action and we’ll be getting our heads down now to carry on with our preparations to give the district the exciting Festival it deserves.”

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Employment, Skills and culture, said: “The benefits of Ilkley Literature Festival, were never in doubt. The Council has always recognised the festival’s economic impact, its promotion of literacy and the fact that Council support helps it to attract significant Arts Council funding.

“However the proposal was part of a package of savings on festivals needed to help find £41 million next year because of Government spending cuts, increasing costs and rising demand for services.

“We received a large number of representations in response from people. In the light of these representations, and the clear benefits that the festival brings, the decision was taken to withdraw the proposal to remove the Council’s contribution to its funding.”

The Festival brings thousands of people to Ilkley each October, with more than 150 overnight stays in local hotels, creating a buzz.

Local businesses and The Grove Bookshop, Ilkley Playhouse and the Kings Hall all rely on Ilkley Literature Festival for a chunk of their annual income.