Sidbury’s ‘empty and redundant’ former social club is set to be converted into an antiques emporium after a planning bid got the go-ahead.
The Fore Street venue closed on January 1 due to ‘a lack of sustainable use’ and the application said there was ‘no appetite’ for it to be resurrected.
Applicant Sidbury Manor Estate said there are ‘few other options for the building’ and it should be welcomed that someone has identified a use for it.
The 1970s building had been marketed for nearly six months and there has been some interest but the only proposal was to use it as an antiques emporium.
The plans say the building lends itself ‘very satisfactorily’ to being used for displaying antique furniture and with minor maintenance could be up and running in a ‘very short time’.
The proposed business will have two employees, one working full time and one part-time.
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