Club sale is bittersweet

NEW owners John and Sharon Sykes, with daughter Lucy

A BUILDER bought a 150-year-old piece of history in the village where he was born ... in just three minutes.

Because despite brisk bidding, John and Sharon Sykes' offer of £260,000 saw them claim the iconic Delph Club in an auction at the club's Gartside Street headquarters. Father-of-five Mr Sykes declared: "I plan to create affordable living accommodation in the village."

The auction ended months of speculation surrounding the future of the imposing three-storey building which had attracted nationwide interest from prospective buyers.

Last year a letter to members and villagers from the club committee warned unless new and additional uses could be found, the premises would have to be sold.

The club was the respected venue for community activities, sports and events but the industrious committee and trustees had struggled to find a sustainable formula to maintain it at or above break-even figure.

Committee spokesman Alan Shackleton, said: "We were pleased to see so many people at the auction, either interested in bidding or supporting us.

"It was a sad occasion for many local people and the end of an era involving many happy memories.

"The club will continue to trade as usual until about October 21."

The building was built as a Reform Club in about 1860 with a community hall, snooker and reading room and was alcohol-free. The Reform movement merged with the Liberal party early in the last century and by about 1970 the building had fallen into disrepair and suffered from dry rot.

The old ownership was abandoned as the only source of repairs funding at the time were breweries.

A sports-based committee and trustees took over and changed the old covenants so it could be licensed and renamed Delph Club.

Currently, there are about 60 members who have elected trustees and a working committee.

Mr Sykes converted a former landmark pub, The Woolpack at Dobcross, into a tasteful, stylish holiday let business five years ago.

He added: "I have not finally settled on exactly what I would like to do with the Delph Club but I shall be seeking planning permission."