Rushden’s hall sale has to be cancelled

The British Women’s Temperance Association Hall in Rushden should have been sold by auction on Wednesday, but a handful of people who turned up were told “the auction is off.”

The hall, built smack on the corner of Newton Road and Park Road, might be bought by the Northamptonshire County Council – so it can be all pulled down.

A spokesman for the county council said the Highways, Roads and Bridges Committee would consider buying the hall next week.

If it is bought by the county the hall will probably be demolished to widen Newton Road and make the entrance to Park Road more accessible.

“We thought it fair to warn people of this possibility before the property was sold,” the spokesman said.

The Temperance Hall is probably the last solid reminder of the days when Rushden had a flourishing Temperance Association. In recent years about the only organisation to use the hall frequently was the Rushden Temperance Band which was told to move out last year when it was decided to sell.

It has not been offered earlier because the auctioneers had to trace all the trustees.

A handful of people turned up on Wednesday but most had been notified of the cancellation. If the council decides not to buy, the hall will probably be auctioned later.

However, any prospective buyer will have certain restrictions placed on the sale. He will not be able to manufacture or sell intoxicating liquors, he will not be able to use the hall for gambling or dancing; he will not be able to use it on a Sunday for trading or as a boxing booth, funfair or any purpose which would constitute a nuisance or annoyance to the neighbouring properties.