PLANS are in motion to revive Ringwood Social Club and ensure it remains an asset in the town for future generations.

A committee of 10 volunteers are now looking to drive forward plans for the West Street club, which has been closed for five years, after New Forest District Council granted planning permission for the redevelopment of the club last month.

As part of the proposals two semi-detached houses and a terrace of three houses will be built as well as as two commercial office units.

Part of the building will be demolished to make way for a garden space.

Inside the building, there will be a bar, function suite and a games room as well as kitchen facilities.

"After a long five years we can now look forward to a new future in the town," said committee treasurer Tina Saddington. "It was too big an asset for the town to let go. It is owned by their members and this is people's chance to be involved with it."

The club building, which is a Grade II listed building, has been previously known as The Antelope and Albany Temperance Hotel. And after the First World War it became the Comrades Club and later the British Legion Club and Ringwood Social Club.

Parts of the building date back to 1700s and about 1699.

It is a personal project for Tina and her sister Helen Homewood, who is committee secretary, as their grandparents and parents were members of the club and they have been coming to establishment since they were children.

Helen said: "It is a sense of relief [getting planning permission] that we can now finally get going and just start here."

To help with the maintenance and running costs of the building two commercial units are being created, which will be rented out, and the car park at the back of the building will be sold to build the housing.

Tina and Helen say selling off part of the land was a difficult decision for the committee but was necessary to ensure they were able to pay for the redevelopment work to be done.

Tina said: "It is a tall order, we are under no illusion about how much work we have got to do."

The committee will also be looking at applying for a Lottery grant to help with costs. The total cost of the work is still being assessed and will be going out to tender.

It is hoped the demolition work can be done before Christmas and that the building can be opened in time to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the building becoming a club.

Marking a new era for the building the name of the club will also be changed.

Helen said: "We see it as us looking after it and passing it down to future generations of members — that is what we're looking to do."

The committee are looking for new members and volunteers to come on board with the project and help get the club back on its feet.

Anyone interested in becoming a member of Ringwood Social Club get in touch by emailing ringwoodsocialclub@gmail.com