A closed clubhouse in Reading could be knocked down for good if a plan is given the go-ahead this week.

The Curzon Club in Oxford Road was previously a members-only club with two bars, a dancefloor and living accommodation on the first and second floors.

But the club has been vacant since 2020 due to declining membership and the need for significant repair works.

It was put up for sale for £695,000 in December of that year, and if a plan for the site is approved, the building could be gone for good.

Developers City Wide Serviced Apartments want to replace it with a new six-storey building containing 17 two-bedroom and 13 one-bedroom flats.

Of those, five one-bed and five two-bed apartments would be designated affordable, which is 30 per cent of the proposed development.

Reading Chronicle: A 3D visual of the plan to replace The Curzon Club with 35 apartments in Oxford Road, West Reading. Credit: The Keen PartnershipA 3D visual of the plan to replace The Curzon Club with 35 apartments in Oxford Road, West Reading. Credit: The Keen Partnership

The new building would also contain a retail unit at ground level, with 15 residential car parking spaces, with one of those being a disabled space and two electric vehicle charging points would be provided.

A bike store would be provided at ground level as well.

The plan by City Wide Serviced Apartments is an outline application, with the landscaping associated with the building project being reserved.

That means the developers will have to submit another application containing details of landscaping at a later date.

The building is not protected in the national or local list, and a plan allowing for the demolition of the club was approved in February this year.

READ MORE: Details given for plan to replace closed Reading club with a shop and flats 

Council planning officer Tom Bradfield has recommended that the application be approved subject to a legal agreement being reached between the developer and the council.

Mr Bradfield said: “The proposal would provide 30 residential units, with a policy compliant affordable housing offer, which carries significant weight, as well as a retail unit within a district entre and a well designed building which would complement the character and appearance of the area.”

While Mr Bradfield acknowledged the loss of the club as a hireable venue, he noted that there are several other places nearby that fulfil that role, including the Oxford Road Community Centre the White Eagle and Royal Albion pubs, places of worship and function space in Battle Library.

Mr Bradfield concluded: “Given the significant benefits of the proposal, most notably the provision of high quality housing and a policy compliant Affordable Housing offer, it is considered that the proposals would, on balance, be acceptable.”

The fate of The Curzon Club is set to be decided at a planning applications committee meeting on Wednesday, November 1.

You can view the application by typing reference 221345 into the council’s planning portal.