Property guardians are set to move in to secure a former social club building after a contentious closure.
"Heartbroken” Holyrood Social Club members held their last event on December 11 amid claims of a lack of communication from the landowner and "unaffordable" rent demands.
The site in Tolpits Lane, Watford, is owned by Holy Rood Catholic Church which is part of the Diocese of Westminster.
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Jessi Ryan, who worked behind the bar for four years, said she had seen showers, partitions, and a washing machine being installed in the building. This contributed to speculation the site is set to be rented out as accommodation.
A spokesperson for the diocese responded saying that is not accurate and “no decisions have been made about the use of the hall”.
Instead, property guardians are set to live on the site while it is empty, which the diocese said is "standard practice", adding that “it is reasonable to expect some modifications as the guardians live on site”.
A property guardian is someone who has entered into an agreement to live in a building or part of a building that would otherwise be empty for the primary purpose of securing and safeguarding the property, according to the government.
There are an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 people living as property guardians in the UK.
The diocese has claimed that rumoured rent figures were inaccurate, but added the parish has a responsibility to ensure sound financial management of its assets.
It said that the club had made a regular donation for the use of the hall in the past, which it stopped making two years ago.
The Watford Observer has been told there was upset from those at the social club aimed towards the parish over the closure.
The club was described as a "lifeline" for the elderly, particularly on Sundays for bingo, and a place for people to meet up and have a drink or watch the football.
The diocese said that the parish will be consulted on the future use of the hall next year.
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