The sale of a vacant community building in Harpenden to a thriving local church has been agreed by the council.
St Albans City and District Council has agreed the deal, subject to change of use planning permission, of Harpenden Public Halls to ChristChurch Harpenden (CCH) for use as a permanent base for the church which has a regular Sunday congregation of more than 300 people.
CCH currently uses various venues but plans to hold services at the 50,000 sq ft, 1938-built hall in Southdown Road from 2026 after a refurbishment and repairs are carried out. The building has an outdoor area at the rear and 22 parking spaces at the front of its 0.68-actre site.
Cllr Paul de Kort, the council’s leader and chair of the strategy and resources committee, said: “I am pleased that we have reached this agreement after an open market sale process and will obtain a substantial sum for the benefit of our residents.
“The Halls provided Harpenden with a lively entertainment venue for many decades, but it had become clear we needed to replace it with a much more modern facility.
“We are proud we did so with the opening of the magnificent Eric Morecambe Centre with its theatre, backstage equipment, function rooms, bars and other assets.
“Following the closure of the halls, we considered several options for the future of the site, including redeveloping it ourselves.
“But due to changes in the wider economic climate, we decided to explore the sale of the freehold as that seemed the best way forward.
“The sum raised will help reduce the council’s borrowing as was originally envisaged when we embarked on the project to create new leisure and cultural facilities for the town.
“I’m pleased that the sale will see the Public Halls continue to be used as a community building, although that was not one of the sale conditions. I am sure ChristChurch Harpenden will make good use of the building and wish them well with the task of refurbishing it.”
Strutt & Parker acted for the council.
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