Scunthorpe Conservative Club to close on January 1 after 126 years
THE Scunthorpe Conservative Club is to cease trading on New Year's Day, after 126 years in business.
The decision, taken by a special general meeting of some of the 1,200 members, will also mean the loss of nine jobs.
The club's general manager, Steve Bunn, confirmed the bars in Doncaster Road would close in the early hours of January 1 after all the stock had been drunk.
Mr Bunn said: "The Cons Club has been a part of Scunthorpe's history since 1887, so it's a real shame. But we had no alternative if we were not to run into serious financial problems.
30% off on our collection range and other selected fabrics. alternatively call 809887 and we will bring our samples to you for our friendly hassle free quote.
Contact: 01472 809887
Valid until: Saturday, July 13 2013
"All our creditors will be paid in full and we have arranged to sell the fixtures and fittings, including six snooker tables, by private negotiation."
At present, the Conservative Club closes on three afternoons a week in order to cut down on overheads.
Mr Bunn said: "Like other clubs in the town, we have been hit by a number of factors, including the smoking ban and cheaper alcohol being sold in local pubs and supermarkets.
"At the same time, clubs like ours and what we have to offer no longer appeal to the younger generation."
The closure comes just four years after the members agreed to sell off the 77-year-old building for £350,000 in order to clear off debts and re-establish the business.
The building was bought in 2008 by local steel firm boss Dave Chapman, who has been a member for almost 40 years.
Mr Chapman, 68, and the committee had been due to meet soon to discuss the renewal of a five-year lease on the premises.
He said: "It is regrettable the members and officials have decided on this course of action. But now I shall be looking at the market for potential buyers."
Arrangements have been made to transfer the Conservative snooker and home games teams to the nearby Brumby Hall Social Club.
The Cons will be the 10th club in Scunthorpe to close since the smoking ban was introduced in July 2007.
Comments
by Hazzers
Sunday, December 23 2012, 7:36PM
“Just had my friend Brians nextdoor neighbour confirmed to us that he used to play cribbage in Ashby Workingmens Club up until 2008 before it became Harry's Bar in 2009.
Now we needed comfimation of when the Mayfair Club became the Mayfair Pub prior to closing.”
by HattyTood
Sunday, December 23 2012, 12:22PM
“Wetherspoons
plastic beer, plastic furniture, plastic customers - no thanks”
by gordonio
Saturday, December 22 2012, 5:23PM
“My parents used to run a Working Men's Club donkeys years' ago. Saturday nights were just heaving, bingo, raffles, a social evening to meet up with friends. Saving up to get married, my fiance and I ran a bar at one end of the club, just so members didn't have to walk so far to get a drink, happy days.
The secretary of the club emptied the 'one armed bandit' every Sunday morning, what a tea leaf he was. Nowadays, I'm more of a Wetherspoons girl, good value all down the line, no wonder they're going from strength to strength.”
by Hazzers
Saturday, December 22 2012, 4:17PM
“So just to mention that our list has ten clubs and the Conservative Club would make it 11.”
by Hazzers
Saturday, December 22 2012, 4:16PM
“Sad to see it will be the 10th club to close since 2007 after the smoking ban.
Me and my friend Brian from Riddings racked our brains for hours on end to think of the previous 9, here's what we came up with.
Ashby Workingmens Club (we think it closed after 2007)
Emerald
St. Phillips
British Legion
Ferry Road Club
Brumby & Frodingham Club
Liberal Club
The Square (on Sheffield Street) was Ukranian Club
Mayfair
Kingsley Labour Club”
by delboyseven
Saturday, December 22 2012, 1:57PM
“the good thing about pantomimes is they keep a lot of people in work over christmas.”
by SisterWendy9
Saturday, December 22 2012, 12:49PM
“The Ahmadi Muslims are looking for a new mosque. Many of them work at the hospital which is walking distance from the club and it's on the edge of the Muslim quarter of town. Perfect location! If they took the roof off Cambell's failure bar, they could add a minaret.”
by DFlated
Saturday, December 22 2012, 12:43PM
“Sell it for 350,000 or renew the 5 year lease - which is it?”
by MadLiz
Saturday, December 22 2012, 12:18PM
“MY EMPIRE! MY EMPIRE! MY LITTLE BALCONY FOR ADDRESSING THE DESCAMISADOS!
I'LL BUY A £1M TIN SHED OR TAKE OVER THE CIVIC CENTRE! OH NO, I ALREADY TRIED THAT.
WAIL!!”
by HattyTood
Saturday, December 22 2012, 11:03AM
“Oh look, another nail being hammered into the coffin.
Fast becoming a town of nightclubs and fast food outlets - social evenings are a thing of the past.
I do hope they'll soon be building more care homes so the over 35's have somewhere to go 'sigh'”