Community hall on sale to developers for £700,000

Priory Hall in Princess Avenue has been on the market since the summer, following a decision by the Priory Church to sell it.

It is listed on rightmove.co.uk as ‘land for sale’ for the asking price of £700,000.

With a main hall complete with a stage and seating for 120, it has been a central facility for community groups over the years.

But it can no longer provide the ‘modern’ space required by users, and it being sold for development land.

A new facility is set to be built elsewhere to replace it.

The Reverend Canon Charles Stewart said: “Priory Hall has served the local community well for many years, but it is no longer able to provide the sort of modern, flexible space required by the congregation and community groups that use it.

“As such, a decision has been taken sell the building in order to raise funds that will go toward the construction of a new modern building capable of meeting local needs.

“The new facility - which will comprise a visitors centre, with a hall and flexible room spaces - is part of a wider project which aims to conserve the heritage of the Priory Church and it will enable us to provide a significant resource for the local community.

“We have worked closely with the local community groups that currently use the hall and have kept them up to date on developments, including giving them just under a year’s notice that they will need to find alternative facilities in the interim period.

“We are currently in talks with a number of prospective buyers for the hall, but are unable to provide further details, either on the sale or the planned development, at this stage.”

In 2014, the church unveiled their plans for the new modern hall at the Priory, as part of a redevelopment project, which included a new cafe and relocated gift shop.

At the time, a spokesperson for the historic church said the sale of the Priory Hall site would give long-term income to repair and conserve the historic church.