Director to fight plans to turn snooker hall into flats in Hornchurch

Knights Snooker and Pool Club might be converted into apartments (Credit: Google Maps)

A snooker hall in Hornchurch could be turned into flats. 

The landlord of Knights Snooker and Pool Club, in High Street, has submitted a planning application to convert it into five apartments. 

Director Evren Omer said he and his fellow directors want to remain in the building and intend to oppose the proposals. 

He explained their 25-year lease ran out a few years ago and they have been renewing it yearly ever since. As a result, the landlord may be able to redevelop the site at the end of 2022. 

“This club has been on this site since the 1930s, we have been custodians of this place for 35 years,” Evren said.

“People come up here not just to play snooker but to meet their friends, to have a drink. It’s like a social club, it means a lot to the people of Hornchurch and Havering.

“To lose it just for flats, it’s a disgrace. There are enough flats in Havering without turning historic old buildings and premises into flats.” 

Parkhall Estates submitted the planning application which shows the snooker hall would be replaced with four two-bedroom flats and one single-bedroom apartment. 

Evren said their regulars couldn’t believe the news when he told them and they are “very upset”. 

He has asked their supporters to send letters of complaint to Havering Council urging them not to approve the plans. 

Evren also said they are looking at alternative venues but finding a large enough premise within the town centre is very difficult. 

For more on this story, and the latest on our other local and national news, listen to Time 107.5FM