A PENSIONERS group has made the decision to sell a village hall in a Cumbria town.

Members of the Askam Pensioners Club decided to sell Rankin Hall in Askam and fold as a club in December 2023.

The building, on Duke Street, was built in 1877 and Askam pensioners purchased the hall, which has owned it ever since, in 1959.

Secretary and treasurer of Askam Pensioners Lorraine Tyson explained it was a 'hard decision' to make.

She said: "Nobody else came forward to run the pensioners and take over my job. We made the decision as a committee to fold - it all happened in December.

"There are only 18 members now but people have passed away and I wanted to retire because I have done it for 25 years and I can't do it any longer."

Several residents said it was where they used to dance and do plays with others saying it was the place where they hosted their wedding reception or birthday parties.

The village hall is being sold from an asking price of £85,000 and is being offered Freehold with the benefit of vacant possession.

The property consists of the main hall with a stage, storage room, large fully fitted kitchen and two toilets, one having disabled access.

To the side of the building there is a block paved path to access the property.

The main hall is a large open space with a traditional layout, with a stage at one end and ample room for tables and chairs to accommodate a variety of events.

UAM Property, the agency marketing the property, said: "This detached property offers the potential to be developed into a range of uses such as a large detached residential dwelling, subject to relevant planning permission."