A new Christian community spot on the site of a former Arnold micro bar could open by the New Year if plans are approved by the council.
Tony Suthers, administrator of the Christian Science Society in Nottingham applied to Gedling Borough Council in early August to change a property in Croft Road, Arnold, to ‘mixed use’, including a bookshop, reading room and library, a contemplative place and a place of worship.
The spot was occupied by the former Saxton Micro-Bar, which was opened in November 2022 by two sisters after the Brown Bird Bakery closed earlier that month after suffering from competition in the town.
It is unclear when the bar formally closed down, but a post from January 2024 on the business’ Facebook page said its licence would not be renewed for the year due to the “extortionate costs” of running a bar and its stock – the last official post was from May 2024.
But now the unit could be turned into a new spiritual and religious hub for the Christian Science Society, if plans are approved.
The society is a branch of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, which originated in Boston, USA, with Christian Science itself founded by Mary Baker Eddy in the 19th Century.
The beliefs focus on spiritual interpretations of the Bible – particularly the new testament – with unique perspectives on healing and reality.
Mr Suthers told the local democracy reporting service on Wednesday, August 20 that the group would like to have the space open in January 2026 if plans are approved.
He said: “We met an interior designer yesterday and also talked to a builder. We do need to make the space very very friendly, comfortable, fit for purpose and it’s going to take into the beginning of next year before it’s really ready.”
The society most recently occupied a Georgian building on Mansfield Road in Nottingham city centre, but it sold the space in May 2024.
Mr Suthers said: “The main reason [for wanting to move] was to be nearer our community, where there’s footfall and we can talk to our community.”
He said the group usually has between 15-to-20 people coming to its services and people travel in from other areas of the county.
Speaking on the closing of the micro bar, Andrew Ludlow, Nottingham CAMRA secretary, said: “The micro pub venture into the hospitality industry has generally been successful. Sometimes ventures do not work out and the Saxton obviously is sadly one of those that has not been able to reach economic viability.
“Some of [micropubs’] areas of issues is recently the trade has gone through a difficult time with increases in National Insurance and minimum wage and overall costs meaning customers are finding it difficult to go out and spend money – it’s difficult for new ventures to start up.”
Mr Ludlow called it an “increasingly difficult market” but says the success seen at the Abdication Micropub in the town is because it “knows its clientèle” and makes sure its products “match” people who are likely to visit.
Probably get vandalised like everywhere else in Arnold ?