The team behind the Ilkley Fountain project have extended their heartfelt thanks to the local businesses and key benefactors whose generous support has made this community initiative possible.
The project, spearheaded by the group Improving Ilkley, owes much of its success to the invaluable contributions from a number of local entities. Foremost among them is Ilkley BID, the project's primary seed-funder and largest funding body. Their early and unwavering support has been instrumental in launching the vital engineering works now underway.
Sarah Brookfield-Almond, Ilkley BID Manager, said: "We're very excited about the progress of the fountain project, and we look forward to seeing it in situ very soon as a striking focal point in the heart of the town.
"Ilkley BID believed in the project and the vision of the Improving Ilkley team from the outset and we are very proud to be working with them as the largest funder to date.
"One of the BID's aims is to help drive town centre footfall and make Ilkley an attractive place to visit, and we are certain that the fountain will be a welcome attraction to the town to be enjoyed by residents and visitors for generations to come."
Special acknowledgment also goes to Ilkley Town Council, whose recent grant from the Green Spaces, Environment and Sustainability Committee has provided a significant boost. Bradford District Metropolitan Council (BDMC) also played a crucial role by assisting with the legal agreement and scope of works. The project’s construction has been entrusted to Dakins Developments Limited, with engineering drawings expertly crafted by Hutchinson Whitlam Associates.
Moreover, Improving Ilkley would like to express particular gratitude to Anthony Barnett of AB Architects and Ian Whitlam, who, in collaboration with Hutchinson Whitlam Associates, have generously donated their time and expertise. Their contributions have been nothing short of extraordinary, and without their dedication, the project might not have come to fruition.
In addition to these key benefactors, several local businesses have contributed to the project and will have their names permanently commemorated at the fountain site:
Dacre, Son & Hartley
Design Emporium Ltd
Dobson Construction Ltd
Ideal Extraction Ltd
Ilkley Dental Group
LCF Law
Lishman’s of Ilkley
Pi Healthcare
U Dentistry Ltd
Ilkley Cow Steakhouse
Verbeia Essences and Body Care
Ilkley Shoe Company
La Stazione
Louise Hepworth-Wood trustee of Improving Ilkley said "We've been overwhelmed with support from our businesses and the local community and would like to express our gratitude to all of them. As you may have seen, work has already started on the project and there are still opportunities for other businesses or individuals to have their names added to the installation, offering lasting recognition of their support for this significant local project."
Improving Ilkley would like to remind the community that there are still opportunities for other businesses or individuals to have their names added to the installation, offering lasting recognition of their support for this significant local project.
For more information on how to contribute to the Ilkley Fountain project, please contact trustee@improvingilkley.org