Apartments To Be Built On Site Of Once Popular Social Club

Published on: 11 Sep, 2017
Updated on: 15 Sep, 2017

The site of a once popular Guildford social club is to be redeveloped with 12 one- and two-bedroom apartments.

Stoughton Social Club, at 172 Worplesdon Road closed in 2015 and the site was sold to a developer, Leander, who has now been granted planning permission.

The former Stoughton Social Club building is to be demolished and replaced with 12 apartments.

The current two-storey building on the site, which the developer describes in its press release as an “eye sore” dates back only around 20 or so years. It housed the social club as well as function rooms that were available for hire.

It replaced a previous single-storey building that was the former Stoughton Working Men’s Club. The club was formed in 1921 and many a Stoughtonian was a member at the popular venue. It was especially busy on Saturday nights with bingo and live music.

For many years only men were eligible to be members, but it was custom for their wives to attend as guests, particularly at weekends. At one time the club had a tricky decision to make following the deaths of several long-standing members, whose widows were then technically not able to go into the club, unless invited by someone else.

A group of women challenged the club on the technicality pointing out they had been regular visitors for many years. It is believed an agreement was made allowing them to visit the club without having to be “signed in” by someone else.

An artist’s impression of how the new apartments will look.

The developer’s press release also states that the new apartments will be set within an “attractive two-and-a-half-storey-mansion-style red-brick building”.

Dylan May, land director at Leander said: “We’re delighted to have been able to bring forward this disused site for housing. Its location, a few yards from a Little Waitrose, a bakery and a chemist, and just two miles from Guildford town centre, make it an ideal place for new homes and makes a great contribution to the shortage of housing in the area.

“Together with our expert team of consultants, we undertook considerable research and liaison with local residents and council representatives to ensure our plans gained the support of the local community.”

Demolition of the former social club, near the Worplesdon Road / Stoughton Road and Shepherds Lane crossroads is expected to start in the autumn.

Leander has stated that prices for the apartments are anticipated to start from £250,000.

Note: see updated story that states the developer has not yet signed contracts for the sale of the site.

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