A former Teesside social club with historic links could be turned into flats if plans are approved.

The Eston and California, in Eston High Street, was sold after being placed up for sale last year.

An application lodged with Redcar and Cleveland Council proposes ten new flats on the site with the plans incorporating a front facing extension to the first floor above an existing beer cellar and the addition of a second floor ‘inset’ extension providing two penthouse apartments.

The club was previously advertised by estate agents Browns, which had invited offers in excess of £100,000, with an updated advert online in November stating it had been sold subject to contract.

Dozens of comments have been received by the planning authority from people living in the local area objecting to the application by Mohammed Rafiq with a public consultation due to continue until April 26.

The ‘Cali’ retains a Facebook group page, although the last post – which stated ‘Hello members the Eston California is still open’ – was back in June last year.

It was confirmed in September it had ceased trading after 99 years.

Browns described a “substantial” building offering approximately 5,126 square feet of accommodation over two floors.

The ground floor has a bar and snooker area with a first floor lounge previously used for acts and entertainment.

The plans include eight one-bedroomed flats and two, two bedroomed apartments.

A design and access statement submitted to the council explained: “The applicant has purchased the host building from the former landowners on the basis the current lawful use is no longer financially viable due to the lack of custom and business the premises attracts. 

“Furthermore, the premises has been closed for several months and is immediately adjoined by another social club making the likelihood of re-opening as a social club none existent and therefore a new use needs to be found. 

“The applicant Rafiq Properties Ltd is a well established residential letting company with numerous properties within the Tees Valley area and has a reputation of being a responsible landlord with well run premises, including a lot of change of use properties such as this.”

It said the site was in a sustainable location, being close to shops, takeaways, schools, pubs and public transport, and the proposal would make good use of an existing redundant building.

The statement said the planned design would maintain and respect the amenity of neighbouring properties and would be sympathetic to the surroundings, adding: “Overall it is submitted that the extensions and alterations will greatly improve the building and the wider area to the benefit of existing residents and High Street users.”

It said there were no existing car parking spaces within the curtilage of the building, but there were two large public car parking areas behind the property.

Meanwhile, existing ground floor toilets would be converted to form storage for bicycles.

When the club closed last year, a statement issued blamed rising costs and falling numbers following the covid-19 outbreak.

Read more:

Get the latest news, sports, and entertainment delivered straight to your device by subscribing to The Northern Echo here. 

It described one member of staff who had been made redundant as having more than 38 years service and thanked people for their support.

Existing snooker, pool and darts teams were given a new home at the Eston Institute next door.

The club took its name in part from Eston being likened to California when the discovery of ironstone in the Eston hills led to a massive influx of workers.

This drew comparison to the gold rush in the sunshine state in the 1840s and part of the new town that sprang up adopted the name.

Legendary Teesside folk singer, the late Vin Garbutt named an album ‘Eston California’, picturing schoolchildren on the cover above a sign which said ‘Eston and California Social Club’.