Another one bites the dust

A SAD day . . . from left, Howard Moores (chairman of bar and house committee), Jean Moores (member), David Martin (club president) and stewardess Beverley Mayall

Albion latest victim of Oldham’s ailing pub and club trade
A SOCIAL institution in Royton closes its doors for the last time tonight after 139 years in business.

The Albion Club, which stands in Market Square, cannot cope with crippling costs.

And many social groups which meet at the club, including Royton Wine Society, the 41 Club and Orchard House Day Hospital are searching for new venues.

Howard Moores, committee member and former president of the Albion, described the closure as a “very sad day”.

He said: “At one time, we were the only club in Oldham to have a late drinking licence until 2am.

“The change in pub law which allowed pubs to open all hours, the smoking ban and the VAT rise have contributed unfavourably for the club to continue and there is nothing more we can do.”

He added that the dwindling membership and the nature of the licence meant the club could not open to the general public as people had to come in by invitation or with a member.

He added: “This all contributed to a slow decline from an era that saw the club very popular businessmen for many years.”

Committee member Paul Murphy said the closure was a sign of the times.

He said: “We had a meeting and decided enough was enough. We have held everything from quizzes to jazz nights but we can’t seem to attract more people.”

Cllr Phil Harrison said the closure would be a loss to the community because it hosted many events.

He said: “It’s a great shame because it’s a well-managed club — it’s the sort of place where you won’t hear swearing.”

One user said: “It’s a great disappointmen. Our group has met there for years, but we have found a new venue. A landlady has kindly offered us a room to hold our social events.”

First established in 1872 in a building in King Street, the Albion was a private gentleman’s club and was frequented by cotton traders.

It wasn’t until 1966 that women were allowed to go in but even then, they could only use the ground floor.

In the 1970s the club moved into the £48,000 building it stands in today.

At the AGM in 2002, the committee voted in favour of allowing women to become full members for the first time.

Former club member Doug Ashmore, from Royton’s local history society called the closure a “tragedy.”

He said: “It has formed a big part of Royton’s history — there’s a beautiful Victorian phone box in there which was taken from the old building and the premises are great.

“It’s a great pity but it seems to be following the trend of local pubs shutting.

“We’ve got a lot of charity shops in Royton and not a lot else — just empty buildings.”