SPECULATION is mounting about the future of a former bus depot in Ripon which closed last year as a football fun centre.

The Football Fun Go-Ball centre was housed in the former United Automobile bus depot, off Firby Lane, near the city's community hospital.

The depot is owned by Bill Calvert, managing director of Calvert's Carpets, of Thirsk.

He said that although the lease on the building had not been marketed there had already been inquiries.

The centre opened after an 18-month planning battle as neighbours voiced fears about noise and operating hours.

Later, the development won planning clearance to expand and include a family fun centre.

The venture was started by Bill Lupton, former managing director of Econ Engineering, of Ripon.