Church puts forward plan to turn Shropshire club into place of worship

The village club in Church Street, Prees, near Whitchurch, is earmarked to get a new lease of life as a place of worship for Baptists.

The building, which had an alcohol licence, has been empty for over a year since the Prees Village Club closed down.

Prees Baptist Church is currently using the nearby village hall for worship, youth groups and other meetings.

But members say the village hall has been only temporary home while they looked for a permanent address.

In a report Gary Chester, agent, said: "The village club would provide Prees Baptist Church an ideal location and building for a permanent home.

"It is located within Prees next to car parking and not too far from the church's temporary home.

"The building will also enable the church to undertake its various activities, e.g. areas for worship, a youth group, informal meetings and small refreshments."

A planning application to Shropshire Council says Prees Baptist Church

hopes to make changes to the inside, as well as build an access ramp, install solar panels and put up new signs.

As part of the proposal, the applicants wish to sell refreshments for people waiting to collect children from the youth groups.

The applicants also wish to explore the option of opening a coffee shop two mornings a week as a means of raising revenue for the church.

Mr Chester added: "The proposal should be welcomed as it makes use of a commercial building that otherwise might be lost, given that it is located within a small village where demand for commercial premises is practically non-existent.

"Additionally, the applicants should be encouraged with their investment in a site that might otherwise become a blight on the village as time passes. On the whole, the scheme provides an ideal solution to a 'tricky' site within a small village."

The plans will be discussed at the next meeting of Prees Parish Council, which will take place at the village hall on Tuesday at 7.15pm.