Plans submitted to turn former club into church

A former Hull nightclub could be transformed into a church if councillors approve plans.

The Piper, in Newland Avenue, catered for generations of clubbers prior to its closure in 2023.

The Potter's House Church has submitted a 'change of use' application to Hull City Council.

The Reverend Peter Dua said: "We've outgrown the current building and we're looking for something bigger."

The congregation had outgrown its current venue in Alexandra Road, he explained.

Mr Dua added: "There's a lot of work to do, but we're looking forward to it."

The Piper opened in the 1960s and quickly became one of Hull's most popular venues. The nightclub hosted generations of clubgoers and a wide range of music events.

Prior to that the site was home to the Monica Cinema, according to planning documents.

The planning documents states the applicant is "quite literally only a stone's throw away from the existing premises", which would allow them to "maintain that essential link with their community".

The building would be used for Sunday services, community projects, teaching and charity work, the applicant states.

Lewis Bunce, a cobbler, has worked next to the club for several years.

He told the BBC: "All the systems that are in place are suitable to a church; the music and sound equipment and the stage at the front."

However, he expressed concern for traders.

Mr Bunce said: "Now The Piper has gone, will the pubs down here do as well? Probably not."

Earlier this month, the city council approved plans to turn the church's current premises back into a pool and snooker hall. The building was previously a snooker venue prior to becoming a place of worship.

If plans for The Piper building are approved, church leaders said they would begin work later this year, with the aim of opening in early 2026.

Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.