A former sports and social club in Swindon town centre which has been empty for seven years is being converted into flats.
The Albion Sports and Social Club on the corner of Bridge Street and Henry Street hosted live music, fundraising nights, bingo and family events before closing its doors in September 2017.
Fenibo Peterside, founder and director of Peterside Developments, has secured planning permission to convert the building into seven town centre flats, consisting of six one-bedroom apartments and one two-bedroom apartment.
The entrance has been boarded up while the demolition and foundation work are underway and builders have been seen walking in and out of the site during the day.
READ MORE: Empty nightclub in Swindon town centre listed for sale
Fenibo has lived in Swindon since 2016 and refers to the town as his “cherished home”.
He said: “Swindon holds a special place in my heart. It's where I bought my first home and where my children were born. The community has given me so much, and I'm keen to give back in any way I can.
“I hope that the work I'm doing will inspire more developers to invest in the area and contribute to the regeneration of the town centre. The number of empty buildings is detrimental to the community and revitalising these spaces is crucial for the town's future.
SEE ALSO: 'New start' for town centre phone shop forced to relocate
“Since the Albion Club’s closure in 2017, the property has remained empty and fallen into a state of decay and the once lively building became a social nuisance, attracting loiterers and contributing to local disturbances.
“It consists of three buildings: the former Baptist Sunday School built in 1868, an adjacent two-storey building on Bridge Street, and a separate 20th-century building on Henry Street.
“I’m dedicated to preserving Swindon's rich history while contributing to its future, by restoring neglected properties and creating more housing opportunities for residents.
“The development sits well within the Councils £33 million town centre regeneration project of Fleming Way and the location is great for commuters, as it is only a short walk to the train station and The Brunel Shopping Centre.”
Peterside Developments plan to have the apartments completed and on the market by February 2025.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel