A FORMER social club in St Austell looks set to become the new home of the town council.

A statement issued by town clerk David Pooley said the council could confirm it has been successful in its bid to buy Mount Charles Social Club off Clifden Road.

The council has been looking out for new premises because the lease on its current building, the Stable Block at Pondhu House, off Penwinnick Road will be expiring.

The Stable Block premises are due to be redeveloped in association with a wider housing scheme by Treveth, the development company owned by Cornwall Council.

Mr Pooley said: “The intention is to secure the council’s long-term office and depot accommodation requirements in the centre of the St Austell parish.

“Moving to its own premises will save on rental and energy costs and will enable the town council to hold all its council meetings and run its office and grounds maintenance operations from a single site.

“The purchase and refurbishment costs will be found without borrowing and funded from the town council’s reserves. 

“It is anticipated that the new premises will reduce the council’s running costs and more than offset the cost of this investment in the short to medium term.

 “Further information on the town council’s relocation will be provided in due course as the legal processes progress.”

The Stable Block off Penwinnick Road is the subject of redevelopment plans. (Picture: Andrew Townsend)
The Stable Block off Penwinnick Road is the subject of redevelopment plans. (Picture: Andrew Townsend)

The council held an extraordinary meeting on July 9 when Mr Pooley explained that, within the previous few days, a tender opportunity had arisen for the social club “which due to its central location in the parish, size and the condition of the building, grounds and parking is an opportunity that needs serious consideration”.

In the following discussion, councillors said that such sites do not become available very often and that the council should take the opportunity and put a tender in for the site.

Councillors agreed that the suggested tender price and overall budget for the purchase, refurbishment, running costs and maintenance of the building put forward by the town clerk was reasonable and realistic and that a tender for the site should be submitted in the sum of £175,050.

It was resolved unanimously to authorise the town clerk to submit the tender, with councillors highlighting the community benefits that the town council would wish to bring to the former club site.

The property was marketed by Vickery Holman in Truro with an advertised guide price of £100,000. The agents said the premises comprised ground floor accommodation, including a reception area, with toilet facilities, and two separate function rooms, one with a dance floor and direct access to a kitchen area. The former club also has a cellar and office/storage space as well as two storage buildings.

The town council said some misinformation had been circulating on social media regarding the former social club. In the light of this, the town council has stated that Cornwall Council has not bought the club and that there are no plans to develop housing on the club site.