A CONSERVATIVE club’s sale to a major pub chain means its members will be homeless, with the Comet receiving confirmation that no new site has been secured.

Members of Hitchin Conservative Club will not secure a new premises in time before the Sun Street venue is taken over by Wetherspoon, it was admitted this week.

The Comet has previously reported on the sale of the club’s building, but it has only just emerged what the implications are for the 250 members.

Association of Conservative Clubs secretary Philip Smith admitted there would be a point when the club wouldn’t have a base, but said: “Hopefully (it will be ) for a very short time.”

He added: “I think the club are very much looking forward to finding a new venue in Hitchin.

“It’s one thing at a time – we’re dealing with this first (the sale of the club).

“We will definitely find a new home for members and, hopefully, have a very successful new club home.”

Questions were put to Mr Smith on why the sale was made in the first place and he was asked if it was due to money concerns.

He said it would be inappropriate to discuss.

Wetherspoon bought the premises last month, but has not yet announced its planned opening date.

North Herts District Council confirmed it has received no approach from the chain regarding licencing or planning applications, at the time of going to press.