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2001 survey results

8. ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ASPECTS

Employment

The traditional industries within Silsden that historically brought employment to the majority of “Cobbydalers” have all but disappeared.

The once thriving textile mills (there were 16 in the 1950’s) which brought employment to nearly every family in Silsden accounting for almost 60% of the workforce in Silsden has virtually disappeared and only one textile mill remains.

Other major employers in Silsden that have sadly disappeared include a printers, an ice cream factory, 3 timber merchants, a tannery, a gas works, the Silsden Co-operative society which had 9 shops and offices based in Silsden. Silsden Urban District Council, which was consumed by Bradford Met in 1974, was also a major employer.

It is a similar story for another “major employer” in Silsden, that of agriculture and farming. Of the 85 plus farms that existed in the early 1950’s only one quarter still remain as working farms.

It is unfortunate that replacement employment opportunities have not been forthcoming and certainly not kept pace with population growth. In fact latterly the two companies that have relocated to Silsden on the Belton Road industrial park have even brought the majority of their own workforce with them.

This lack of local employment opportunity has led to the vast majority of the working population of Silsden having to commute for employment. This must have a significant bearing on the fact that 75% of Silsden people rely on the car as their first form of transport.

In a recent survey of every household in Silsden it was recognised that Silsden needed more employment opportunities citing Small Business Development / Tourism Development and Craft Industries / Small Scale Industrial Workshops as the preferred options. However a perceived obstacle to employment opportunity is the business rate and rents.

There is an increasing amount of tourism in Silsden, attracted by the Leeds-Liverpool canal, open countryside for walking (79 public footpaths) and the caravan/camping sites all within the Silsden boundary. The survey gave support to the development of tourism for Silsden and more tourism facilities including further camping/caravan sites and guest house/bed & breakfast accommodation.

Silsden still retains a number of shops centred on the main thoroughfares of Kirkgate and Briggate. The prevailing traffic conditions through the town centre have however had an adverse effect on the patronage of these businesses over the recent years thus reducing both the number and variety.

Social & Leisure

Silsden offers a number of social and leisure activities including sport, uniformed groups, a civic society, a town band, in fact there are over 40 groups based in Silsden offering leisure pursuits. In organised sport, Silsden boasts successful rugby, soccer, cricket and bowls clubs.

Nevertheless there is a perception that the young people are not catered for adequately. In the recent Silsden survey 40% of respondents felt that provision for up to 16 years was poor and 44% felt that provision for 17-25 years was also poor.

There is a strong demand (45%) for an open age swimming pool to be provided in Silsden. The nearest open age full size swimming pool is based in Skipton some seven miles away with a very limited and expensive public transport access.

The next most popular was a leisure and sports centre (27 %). Again there is limited provision of these facilities in Keighley, however they are not easily accessible directly by public transport from Silsden.

Similarly 15% of the respondents to the need for social facilities wanted Theatre/Drama facilities closely followed by a Cinema (14%).

There is a perception of inadequate further education provision in Silsden itself; again most people requiring further education are reliant on courses provided in Keighley or Ilkley. 49% of respondents to the survey were interested in attending further education classes if provided in Silsden, 51% of these wanted classes in computing, with 37% interested in languages provision.

There is a strong sense of community in Silsden attested by the survey results that put the community as the most important feature of Silsden. The environment closely followed this, as being important, in fact 82% of the respondents felt the quality of the countryside around Silsden was very important.

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2001 survey results

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