Broadland Snooker Centre in Hellesdon set to become shop

Broadland Snooker Centre, shown here in 2018, closed in 2021 and has since become a target for vandals

A former snooker hall is a step closer to being turned into a shop.

Broadland Snooker Centre in Hellesdon, near Norwich, closed down in 2021 after the club's landlord sold the building rather than renew its lease.

The venue had previously hosted players including six-time World Snooker Championship finalist Jimmy White.

Planning officials have recommended Broadland District Council approves an application to create a new retail space at a meeting on 27 March.

The snooker hall, on the roundabout where Reepham Road meets Middletons Lane, was run by Roger and Nicola Reynolds from 2004 until its closure, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reports.

Jimmy White has finished runner-up at the World Championship six times

A report to the council advised that the building was in a poor state of repair, with windows blocked up and its walls vandalised and graffitied.

The proposals are largely supported by councillors who are keen to bring the building back into "productive use" but concerns have been raised about the alterations to the original plans - which would have seen the building divided into three smaller retail units.

Conservative councillor Shelagh Gurney said smaller units "would facilitate opportunities for smaller businesses."

She said: "I feel that the proposals for one large unit are regressive and could see another supermarket outlet moving in. This could have a detrimental effect on other shops nearby."