Harpenden Public Halls is set to become a church after St Albans City and District Council agreed to sell the building.

ChristChurch Harpenden will now call the Southdown Road site home, and use it to host their regular Sunday morning congregation of more than 300 people.

The sale is subject to planning permission for change of use being granted and is scheduled to be completed early next year, with CCH hoping to carry out renovation work in 2026.

St Albans City and District Council leader, Councillor Paul de Kort, is pleased to see the Public Halls remain as a community asset, having been used an entertainment venue for a number of decades before its closure.

"I am pleased that we have reached this agreement after an open market sale process and will obtain a substantial sum for the benefit of our residents," he said.

"The Halls provided Harpenden with a lively entertainment venue for many decades, but it had become clear we needed to replace it with a much more modern facility.

"We are proud we did so with the opening of the magnificent Eric Morecambe Centre with its theatre, backstage equipment, function rooms, bars and other assets.

"Following the closure of the Halls, we considered several options for the future of the site, including redeveloping it ourselves.

"But due to changes in the wider economic climate, we decided to explore the sale of the freehold as that seemed the best way forward.

"The sum raised will help reduce the council’s borrowing as was originally envisaged when we embarked on the project to create new leisure and cultural facilities for the town.

"I’m pleased that the sale will see the Public Halls continue to be used as a community building, although that was not one of the sale conditions. I am sure ChristChurch Harpenden will make good use of the building and wish them well with the task of refurbishing it."

Gareth Loh, CCH's senior minister, added: "We are very thankful for the opportunity this iconic building gives us to be a church at the heart of our community.

"Having recently marked our 60th anniversary, we have a vision to be those who truly love Christ, love his church, and love Harpenden."

Lauren Cox, chair of CCH trustees, continued: "I would like to thank St Albans City and District Council and their property agents, Strutt & Parker, for managing a professional bid process.

"On behalf of the trustees, we are very grateful for the generosity of the CCH church family and friends who have self-funded the purchase of the building."