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03
Mar 2021
Former Home Guard club in Harrogate for sale
The former Home Guard club on the corner of Tower Street and Belford Road in Harrogate has been put on the market for £500,000.
Property agent Feather, Smailes, Scales says the 2,700 square foot building near St Peter's School is in need of extensive repair but could be refurbished and turned into housing or retail space.
It also suggests the building could be demolished and rebuilt, if planners allow it.
Simon Croft, from Feather, Smailes, Scales said the former social club is in a "sorry state" but has the potential to be redeveloped.
He said:
There have been two planning applications in recent years to demolish the building and build four flats in its place, but they were both withdrawn. Objections were raised from both the Ancient Monuments Society and Harrogate Civic Society.
Harrogate historian Malcolm Neesam told the Stray Ferret that the building has historical importance to Harrogate. It was originally the town's second hospital from 1873 until 1883 before being used as Harrogate's first custom-built Masonic Hall.
It was also where Harrogate's Crimean War hero Sgt Major Robert Johnston died.
With the advent of the Second World War in 1939, the local Home Guard began using the building as a social club to relax with a drink and play snooker.
Since 1987, the ground floor has been used by various businesses including Sweet Tooth Munchies.
According to a letter from a former Home Guard club member that is contained within planning documents, the club was forced to disband and close the venue in 2015 because it did not have enough money to repair a leaking roof.
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