On the planning front, they did originally put in for planning but the recommendation was to refuse, so they withdrew it and built it anyway saying they didn’t need permission, we received a letter from them saying they will vigorously defend their right to build it through the courts if we take planning enforcement.

Oh dear. Well if there’s any slight legal possibility of that I think we know what the outcome would be.

What has permeated through the various and many discussions about this over the years is that perhaps they can't kick us out at that point because we have some protection for the second 25 years of our lease as the tenant, but they can at that point review our terms and conditions and perhaps impose different ones on us, which could make our tenure extremely difficult if not impossible.

I know originally we would have recourse to the Council in such circumstances but the SMC's lease seems now to be so water tight as far as the councils lack of input is concerned (probably because the authorities fears of having to maintain the place and the revenue costs that would accrue on them has seen them sign away any control, in exchange for the responsibility for maintenance shifting to the SMC re what happened with the arena) that I think that the existence of our club is under threat at that point myself.

That’s reassuring. How far off are we from this - 10 years?

Its a worry but hopefully Allam will have croaked it by then. Does anyone know if the running of the SMC itself up for re-negotiation at this point?

I don't have such an extreme hope, I hope they've sold it by then!