A FORMER nightclub and snooker hall in Taunton could be knocked down and turned into a block of flats, the County Gazette reported in late 2013.

The old Rileys bar, in Kingston Road, closed in November 2013, but Taunton-based architects Reed Holland Associates were working with the new owners, No.1 Kingston Road Ltd, to turn the land into apartments and some affordable housing with bike sheds and car parking.

If their plans were approved with Taunton Deane Council planning bosses, the two-storey building would be demolished and replaced with 39 one-bedroom flats and 11 two-bedroom apartments.

In their online application, the developers said work had been done to tidy up the site and if the proposed development was successful it would secure the site’s long-term future.

They added: “The previous use of the building as a snooker hall and nightclub meant it was predominantly used at night, thus raising issues of noise, alcohol abuse and the consequential impact upon security of surrounding properties.

“The proposed high quality residential use will be more compatible with the surrounding streets and the building will be inhabited 24/7 by residents.”

The venue’s closure left several of the town’s snooker, pool and darts teams stranded as they had to find other venues to complete their matches.

When the building, which used to be a cinema and Kingston's nightclub, went under the hammer in February 2013, auctioneers Clive Emson had a guide price of around £125,000 to £150,000 on the building.

Developers wanted to create a ‘visually interesting building’ with strong links to its surroundings, which include the railway station, shops, houses and a taxi rank.

They add: “The proposed development will enhance the existing site and give a positive first impression of Taunton to those alighting at Taunton Railway Station.”

Ten years on, people will be aware that the old snooker hall is long gone and the block of flats was indeed built.