AFTER three years of being used for storage by a former Lord Mayor of Exeter, a historic church hall in the city centre is ready to be given a new lease of life.

The well-known Grade II listed building in Stepcote Hill – the ancient entrance to Exeter from the west – has just been put on the market by Peter Wadham who had originally intended to renovate it into a unique home.

The former city council portfolio holder for sustainable development and transport has restored two previous properties in Alphington and had grand plans for The Hall.

Originally owned by St Mary Steps Church, it was built as a Sunday school in 1892 on the site of a pair of 17th-century houses which had been church property for many years.

It is believed it has not functioned as a Sunday school nor as a public building of any sort since 1939 when it was used to store the organ and other church property.

From the mid-1950s it was used by Exeter Drama Company as a green room, for storage of scenery and a place to paint and build props.

Its location in Stepcote Hill, just within The Westgate, was the scene of battles and many kings and important people entering the walled city there including King William III – William of Orange.

Archaeological plans also show a Roman road going under the building.

Peter, currently living in St Thomas, Exeter, recalled: "I was familiar with The Hall because I often walked past it and thought it looked interesting.

"I sold my five-bedroom house in Alphington, bought The Hall and just piled all my household possessions in there and never got around to converting it because of my very busy position on the council. It dominated my life.

"I lost my seat on the council last May and I'm not getting any younger so I wanted to do something positive."

Peter, an antique dealer by trade, is now looking for retail premises in the city centre where he can open an antiques shop and live above it.

Looking forward to seeing what the future has in store for the building, Peter said: "As it is a listed building you are limited what you can do but I was quite happy with that because I wanted an open-plan home anyway. It would make someone a lovely home but it's also a big stage space so it would work perfectly well for that.

"It could also be used again as a public hall or even a gallery for artists. It will be interesting to see who gets it."

The hall's many interesting and unique features include a vaulted ceiling, parquet flooring, large windows and unusual terracotta ventilator on the roof which is 2ft high and looks like a replica castle.

The hall is being sold by Burgoynes Estate Agents for £160,000.