Sudbury reacts to demolition of former Conservative club

The former Sudbury Conservative Club had stood in Prince Street for more than 160 years before parts of it were torn down last week to make way for six new homes and one apartment. 

The application for the demolition of the building, which was originally submitted to Babergh District Council back in 2021, stated that the proposal would seek the demolition of the existing building, with the exception of the façade.   

The former Conservative club in Sudbury has been demolished (Image: Newsquest)

Mayor of Sudbury Jan Osborne said although it is a "shame" to lose such an iconic building, there are some positives to the plans. 

She said: "Parts of the building that had historic background were to be retained, which is good news. 

"It was an absolute eye sore in that area of town so I am looking forward to hopefully seeing a really good renovation job. 

Jan Osborne, Sudbury town mayor (Image: Sudbury Town Council)

"It will be good to have something nice, because if I remember rightly it is a good design.

"But as I say it is a shame to see a building go but it was nearly falling down so I think the benefits outweigh the disadvantages."

The site had been left empty for a number of years - with most of the windows boarded up. 

According to the application submitted to the local authority, four of the homes will be three storeys with the other two earmarked as two storeys. 

The apartment is expected to be a two-bedroom flat. 

Another Conservative Club in Suffolk - in Felixstowe - has recently had its future secured after a new committee was appointed.

The demolition comes as a former games shop in Sudbury was knocked down last month. 

The North Street building was torn down after plans for a new two-storey home to be built in its place were approved in July 2022.