Snooker club faces closure over church dispute
BBCAn historic snooker club in Brighton is facing closure after a legal dispute with a church has raised questions over whether its long‑standing lease is valid.
St Matthias Snooker Club, which is named after the church, believed its agreement, a peppercorn rent of one shilling dating back to 1929, was legally binding.
But St Matthias Church said financial pressures meant it now needed to charge a commercial rent.
"Given the financial position of the parish, we have taken legal advice which indicates a commercial rent is required," vicar Tom Holbird added.
Lawyers acting for the church said the agreement was not legally binding, leaving members uncertain over whether they could remain in the building they had used and maintained for decades.
"Our understanding has always been that we owned and maintained the building," said club secretary Micky Sandall.
"If their legal advice is correct, and we have no reason to think their lawyers are not, then they probably can remove us."
"We now face the prospect of paying rent on something we always thought we owned and have always paid for and maintained," he added.
'Never been any trouble'
Club member Nicholas Berger said the venue had always operated in keeping with the church's values.
"The club was set up by church members, so we don't have a bar, we don't serve food and there's never been any trouble."
"We run very much along church lines, whether we attend services or not," he said.
A church spokesperson said it was working with members over the future of the building.
However, they added any agreement had to be "fair, sustainable and consistent with our legal obligations".
The club is particularly valued by parents because, unlike many snooker venues, there is no alcohol on the premises.
Junior member Matthew said: "It's trusted members who let themselves in. It's a place where you can escape, chill out and relax.
"It's very quiet. This kind of club is so rare now, you don't really see them any more," he added.
Another junior member, Adam, said: "It wouldn't be very nice if it closed. It's a very good club. There used to be lots of snooker clubs, but they've closed down.
"It would be better to have more places like this."
Members say they are continuing to urge the church to reconsider, and a petition launched by supporters has gathered more than 1,400 signatures.
