Historic Kirby-in-Ashfield social club should be demolished 'as soon as possible', report says

A former Kirkby-in-Ashfield club is in such a poor condition that it should be knocked down urgently, a council report says.

The Wyvern Club, which is on land owned by Ashfield District Council, closed in January as part of a major government-funded redevelopment of the area.

The West Kirkby Gateway project received Towns Fund money to create a new ‘destination pub’ and function room next to the train station on Urban Road.

The Wyvern, which opened in the 1960s, has been boarded up since it ceased trading.

GF Tomlinson has been appointed as the contractor to demolish it, according to a report published on the council website.

“The building is in very poor condition and of timber construction, meaning the fabric is easily damaged and compromised to gain access,” it says.

It adds that some of the internal areas are in “dangerous condition”.

A survey of the building has recommended that it “should be demolished as soon as is practicable”.

Planning permission for this to go ahead was submitted by the council in August, and is currently pending.

The Ashfield Independent-run authority says that the design of the new pub will “reflect the industrial heritage of the site, celebrating the history of the railway and its workers.

“Plans for the site will help regenerate the west side of Kirkby by introducing new facilities and opportunities for business, which will encourage more external investment into the town.”

The Gateway project will also see a building created for start-up businesses.

Councillor Matthew Relf (Ash) Executive Lead Member for Growth, Regeneration, and Local Planning, previously spoke about the benefits for the town.

“This project is a unique opportunity for the Council to kickstart the regeneration of Kirkby. The location of this project will allow us to create a destination building that provides a gateway entrance to Kirkby town centre for people entering from the west,” he said.