A former sports and club complex in Braintree is up for sale for £750,000.

Crittall Sports and Social Club is on the market after talks between property firm Brown Harknett International, acting for the owner, and Braintree Council broke down.

The authority was interested in buying the centre to convert it into both council offices and leisure facilities for Braintree residents.

But Andrew Epsom, Braintree Council chartered surveyor, said the authority found it could not afford it.

He said: "We recognise the potential of the building but we have not got the funding and it is not on our list of priorities.

"At the moment we are too heavily involved in the regeneration of East Braintree to look elsewhere. Once we've complete the programme then it is something we can look at again providing the building is still available.

"However, it has recently been built and we would like to see it back in use as soon as possible. If a private individual does buy the building then we hope it will continue to be used by the community."

London-based Brown Harknett International is marketing the site as offering a range of uses.

Director Paul Harknett said: "The building has a lot of potential and can be used as a sports club, health and fitness centre or as offices providing the change of use is cleared by the council.

"We are open to offers and there is the opportunity to expand the leisure facilities available, such as a new swimming pool."

The complex was purpose-built for Crittall Windows employees ten years ago but it has been empty since 1996.

The premises was on the brink of becoming a nightclub in 1997 when Chelmsford-based Precise Leisure was awarded a public entertainments licence despite protests from residents.

But the company didn't proceed after it emerged that a covenant stated the building could not be used for a nightclub.

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