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Watchdog asked to review community hall sale

Carla Fowlerand
Victoria Scheer,Yorkshire
BBC/Carla Fowler The exterior of a small, single-storey community building situated in a quiet, green area. The building is constructed with cream-coloured textured walls and red brick detailing around the corners, windows, and doorways. The roof is covered with dark grey slate tiles and features multiple brick chimneys rising above it. On the left side of the image, a large sign is mounted on a wooden frame. The sign clearly reads: “Newby and Scalby Community Hall” and underneath it says: “Contact for Bookings and Event Hire 01723 500699".BBC/Carla Fowler
The Newby and Scalby Community Hall was recently listed for £300,000

A campaign group has called on the Charity Commission to look into the sale of a community hall, over claims around a lack of transparency and communication.

The Newby and Scalby Community Hall Trust announced last week it had sold the venue to a food hall company, after it was marketed for £300,000.

However, some residents have questioned the handling of the sale of what they described as "a vital community asset" and called on the watchdog to investigate.

In a statement, the trust said selling the building was "the most responsible way to protect the charity's assets and ensure its long-term future".

Newby and Scalby Community Hall, in Scalby, was donated to residents in 1922.

Over the years it has been used to host exercise classes, NHS blood donation sessions, craft fairs, exhibitions and community groups.

As well as the hall, the trust is also responsible for a car park and bowling green.

Fiona Mullane, from the newly-formed Save Newby and Scalby Community Hall group, said she felt strongly that the hall should be retained in the community.

"The charity's purpose is to provide and maintain a community hall for the benefit of the residents of this area, and I just don't understand how you can do that without a community hall," said the 62-year-old.

Fellow member Freddie Drabble, 86, said the hall was "a vital community asset".

"It was gifted to this community, not to the trustees. You can't just sell it," he said.

Campaigners have already garnered support from the parish council, members of Scarborough Town Council and Alison Hume, MP for Scarborough and Whitby.

BBC/Carla Fowler Mullane is standing close to the camera, facing forward. She is wearing a dark quilted jacket with a visible brand name printed on the chest that reads “ENDURA”. Underneath the jacket, a striped top with red and dark horizontal stripes can be seen. A crossbody strap runs diagonally across her torso. She is also wearing round glasses with dark frames, and her hair is tied back.BBC/Carla Fowler
Fiona Mullane has attended breast feeding clinics, dog training and dance classes in the hall

Responding to the groups concerns, the trust said that in 2024, when a number of new trustees were appointed, it had identified a number of "significant" challenges, including property registration issues, growing compliance requirements and the need for investment in the ageing building.

In a statement, the trust said: "The trustees concluded that selling the building was the most responsible way to protect the charity's assets and ensure its long-term future."

It said the sale would "benefit local people for many years to come", with proceeds to be retained and managed in line with its charitable objectives and Charity Commission guidance.

They added: "While the Hall building is entering a new chapter, the charity itself is not coming to an end.

"The trustees remain committed to protecting the trust's assets and ensuring they continue to support local people, local organisations and community initiatives for generations to come."

BBC/Carla Fowler Pindar is standing close to the camera, facing forward. She is wearing a bright orange waterproof jacket with a visible front zip and a small clip-on microphone attached near the chest area. The jacket appears to be lightly speckled with water droplets, reinforcing the impression of wet weather. The jacket also shows a printed brand name, “ARC'TERYX” on the upper chest.BBC/Carla Fowler
Caroline Pindar hopes the hall can be registered as an asset of community value

The Newby and Scalby Village Trust, a separate charity from the hall trust, recently submitted a nomination to North Yorkshire Council for the site to be registered as an asset of community value.

"Then the community can request to have the site transferred to our trust which will keep it for community use only," said Caroline Pindar, the trust's chairperson.

"I have nothing against any business that would wish to move into the area but this is our community hall."

The Charity Commission confirmed it had received an application regarding the proposed sale as well as a serious incident report relating to concerns about the sale.

It said it would determine if there was "any regulatory role for the commission", adding: "We continue to engage with the charity."

Scarborough residents vow to save village hall

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