‘Very chill’: the changing face of working men’s clubs

According to their national association, three quarters of working men’s clubs have closed in the last 50 years. Now, one of the country’s oldest has dropped the “working man” from its name in an effort to reinvent itself and attract new members.

“It’s so much fun here, very non-judgmental, very chilled,” says Anne Cawley, 20, of the 150-year-old Louth Social Club in Lincolnshire. “Everyone is very nice and welcoming.”

“It’s a female-only bar staff,” she adds. “It’s quite ridiculous, considering it was a men’s club.”

On the outside wall, a stone sign advertises the original name: Conservative Working Men’s Club. Managers decided on a rebrand earlier this year in an effort to attract new members.

Club secretary Steph Vines explains that it has “for a long time” been neither conservative nor exclusive to men.

She says, “I think men’s clubs have a stigma – they’re full of grumpy old men, or women are only allowed up, and that’s not the case anymore.” “Women have been welcomed for the last 10 years and we also have junior membership.”

However, the rebrand was inspired by more than just changing times. In its glory days, the club had 1,000 members and a long waiting list, but over the decades, that number dropped to 300.

Earlier this year, the venue reached “critical point” and managers did not know whether they would be able to pay salaries. Steph says she was afraid it might close forever.

This is a familiar story. Many working men’s clubs are struggling with falling membership, lack of funding, an outdated image and low interest from under 30s.

In August, the nearby Cleethorpes Working Men’s Club announced that it is closing Due to decreasing numbers. Another casualty, the Monks Road Working Men’s Club in Lincoln, closed suddenly in 2018 after 100 years.

In the 1970s, approximately 4,500 venues nationwide were members of the Club and Institute Union, but this figure has fallen to 1,100.

The union has rebranded itself and, like Louth Social, has dropped “working men” from its title.

“People think we’re still in the 1930s and 40s,” says general secretary Ken Green. “I am very sorry about this.”

He blames this on the cost of living, a decline in the number of young people going out to drink and image problems. But he believes more clubs are now adapting to survive.

The association is offering professional training to managers to help them run their clubs more efficiently.

Kane says, “I think the future is not as bright as we would like, but well-run, well-managed and well-supported clubs will still be there after I leave.”

Down the road in Lincoln, the city’s last remaining working men’s club, Castle Ward, is booming with 1,000 members.

The two figures behind the success are sisters Janet Ballam and Julie Lawson. He can trace his family’s involvement back to 1937, when his grandmother was on the founding committee. At that time, the club was based in two wooden huts.

“It’s a passion,” says Janet, 63, who runs a successful Monday club. “It’s in the blood.”

Unlike Louth Social, Castle Ward has “Working Men’s Club” in its name. Vice president Julie, 58, is eager to point to traditional selling points like “friendship, activities and entertainment at a reasonable price for all.”

The Monday Club, which offers trips, bingo and socializing, attracts people over 50, but managers are aware of the need to bring in younger members.

“We’re a lovely, friendly group,” says Janet. “We need to bring in the younger generation for the club to thrive.”

Hospitality worker Dan Neale, 36, comes to play snooker, but also enjoys the “cheap drinks” and “good atmosphere”.

“You see places everywhere getting more expensive and clubs not getting a lot of support these days, so it’s really good to see places like this still open,” he says.

With bills continuing to rise, these qualities could work to clubs’ advantage.

Dr Ruth Cherrington, a cultural historian who has researched the history of working men’s clubs, believes that they remain important to British society.

She says, “They should be supported because they provide something that is often lacking in many places in this country, and that is to go out somewhere, socialize and have a little family time and fun.” “It’s relatively cheap to do.”

In Louth, a successful open day has brought in new members, but the club is focusing more on traditional attractions such as darts and snooker.

Tables are hard to find in this area and the venue is catering to 16 to 18 year olds.

Shop worker Sam Burnett, 24, comes a couple of times a week to practice snooker.

“It’s a great atmosphere, to be honest,” he says. “Obviously, you’ve got a lot of older guys here, but they’re friendly like ‘out.

“I’ll come in, they’ll say hello to me, they don’t even know me.

“I remember the first time I came and had random conversations with random people. It’s like a big family.”

Money has been invested in facilities and a function room, but financial constraints remain. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with donations.

“I hope it takes off,” says Steph. “It doesn’t have to make money, it just has to sustain itself financially.

“Actually, I don’t take a salary. I work for no money because I don’t do it for the money, I do it to keep the club running. Without it I would be out of a job.”

Staff admit it remains a struggle, but a drive to make the club more accessible is slowly bringing in new members. And the message to those who might never have thought of trying it?

“People are missing out on some of the best raves, the best pool nights, the best snooker nights,” says bar staff Annie.

“If you ever want to come, you’re most welcome. We’ll sort you out in no time. You’ll have a blast.”

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