It's the end: Con club shuts up shop

IT'S the end of the road for the imposing Greenfield Conservative Club

A CLUB which was once the flagship of a country village, is to close on Sunday.

The decision which will see Greenfield Conservative Club shut up shop will be confirmed at an extraordinary general meeting later today at the club's premises on Chew Valley Road.

It is believed falling trade and rising debts forced the decision which will be confirmed to members.

A joint 18th and 60th birthday celebration will be the final function at Greenfield on Saturday, before last orders are called the following day.

That party is for Jackie Stephinson-Kirkbride's son Samedi's 18th and her husband John's 60th.

"It's terribly sad news for Greenfield and all the local organisations who meet there," she said.

Club officials faced the closure with sad resignation.

"We couldn't carry on losing money, " said one.

"People's lifestyles have changed.

"It is easier to buy beer from supermarkets and have a drink at home.

"We have quite a few groups who hire our rooms but that doesn't pay the bills.

"Overheads were going up and people spending money over the bar has been going down."

Membership at the club, which opened in 1894, topped more than 600 but it has dwindled to about 200, with many life members.

The imposing Victorian building and car park will be taken over by the Association of Conservative Clubs before a decision on its future is made.

A spokesman for the 900-strong Association said: "We are aware of the situation at Greenfield. No decision has been made yet but it's possible it could go to auction."

Fixtures and fittings, including snooker and pool tables, will be sold. Two commemorative boards, tributes to villagers who served in the Great War and World War Two, will be retained and offered to Saddleworth Museum.

News of the closure has reached regular contributors including Greenfield Brass Band, Saddleworth Historical Society, Backstep Boogie dance group, RNLI, Whit Friday Brass Band Committee, Saddleworth Anglers and Border Anglers and Naturalists.