Big success for tiny music venue near Harrogate which attracts world famous acts
The team behind the remarkable success of live gigs at one of the Harrogate area’s smallest but most historic venues say they are delighted to have won their battle for charity status.
Organiser Andy Herrington said the granting by HMRC of charity status to Ripley Star Club Ltd, which was also recognised as Community Benefit Society, will boost events at Ripley Town Hall.
“We have been granted charity status due to our efforts to promote community activities in encouragement of the arts, particularly live music, heritage, sport and education,” said Mr Herrington, who set up promoters Ripley Live to bring top rnb and rock music acts to the the wooden-floorboarded venue.
"It means that anyone helping us maintain Ripley Town Hall can now claim tax relief on their donation and the club benefits from Gift Aid at 25p in the £1.00.”
It’s not the first success in recent years achieved by these incredible volunteers at the venue which boasts a maximum capacity of 250 standing.
Originally known as "RipleyBlues," the live music side of this lovely venue was founded by Andy Herrington in 1999, with the first band booked being Nine Below Zero.
Since then, they have successfully brought legendary acts such as The Yardbirds, Paul Jones of Manfred Mann, Georgie Fame, The Animals, Taj Mahal, Andy Fairweather Low, Magna Carta and Stax Records guitarist Steve Cropper to Ripley Town Hall, which was built in 1854.
Twenty years ago, they carried out a major restoration and refurbishment of Ripley Towb Hall with the aid of a substantial grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Last year saw the team achieve their dream of buying the Grade II listed building for community use after a hard-fought campaign including a Crowdfunder.
The latest musical coup for Ripley Live will see the first-ever appearance at Ripley Town Hall by Albert Lee, the Grammy Award-winning guitarist.
Other gigs planned in 2026 include the popular return of 1960s legend Paul Jones with his former Blues Band colleague Dave Kelly, a show by the Counterfeit Stones and the Eugene Farrar Band.
For information and tickets, visit: https://ripleylive.com/