A CHURCH hall in Pendle will be put up for sale next year to save on running costs and raise extra money for the parish.

The decision to sell St George's Hall was made by Colne Parish Church's parochial church council in February but the move was kept secret until the groups using the parish-owned building were informed.

A proposal to sell the hall, in Alkincoats Road, Colne, just outside the boundary of Alkincoats Park, was put forward by a church leader three years ago when he visited the parish to discuss finances.

At the time a decision was deferred in case the site was needed for a new rectory. Now the Blackburn Diocese property committee has decided any new rectory should be closer to the town centre, the sale of St George's Hall will go ahead.

Notice has been given to groups that use the single-storey hall, including the St George's Ladies Circle, the holders of neighbouring allotments, a mother and toddler group and an after school group, that they all must be out of the building in 12 months time when For Sale signs will go up.

The vicar of Colne, the Rev Dr Peter Mott, said in an article in the latest church magazine that he had hoped to build up the amount the hall was used without success. "As the Archdeacon said on his visit, if we have not made a go of the premises in 30 years we are not going to do so in the next 30," added Mr Mott. "I have now regretfully come to agree with him.

"I do not foresee any future Rector having the human resources, let alone the money, to develop the work there."

The PCC was asked to keep its decision to sell confidential until the groups using the hall had been told.

Dr Mott said: "I very much regret having to take this action but I believe it to be essential to the long-term viability of the parish."

The site previously had a church on it which burned down 50 years ago. The current hall was built in the early 1960s.

The parish has a duty to get as much money as possible from the sale although any change of use would be subject to planning permission. Building houses on the site would raise the most revenue.

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