Iconic cultural venue the Salford Lads Club to close after 120 years

An iconic culture venue could be on the brink of shutting down after 120 years - as a desperate appeal was made to raise at least a quarter of a million pounds.

Salford Lads Club, in Greater Manchester, has been hailed as a lifeline for members of deprived local communities for decades.

It was also pictured on the fold-out sleeve of the Smiths' 1986 album The Queen Is Dead, with group members including singer Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr posing outside - and has supporters including actress Maxine Peake.

There is now a dedicated 'Smiths Room' at the community centre - now officially known as Salford Lads and Girls Club - while fans of the band continue to flock there to pay homage and take their own photos.

Yet the club which opened in 1903 with a stated mission to 'Brighten Young Lives and Make Good Citizens' now finds itself in danger of having to end its work.

Organisers have pointed to a surge in operating costs as well as a reduction in income from grants as they say they risk running out of money in just weeks.

An online fundraiser has been set up, hoping to generate the £250,000 said to be needed for the venue to keep on going.

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The Smiths, whose 1980s singles included This Charming Man and Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now, are far from the only famous names associated with the place.

The 1960s group the Hollies - before they had hits with the likes of Bus Stop, Jennifer Eccles and He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother - held early rehearsals at Salford Lads Club.

The artist Harold Riley, who died last year, was a member, while the Edwardian building has also featured in TV dramas such as Peaky Blinders, Last Tango In Halifax, Mrs Biggs, Blue Murder and Cold Feet.

Fashion giant Chanel last year booked the building for a celebrity-studded party - with guests including actress Jenna Coleman - ahead of a show in Manchester's Northern Quarter, while Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham launched his re-election campaign there last April.

And T-shirts promoting Salford Lads Club have been worn and promoted by film stars Christopher Eccleston and Maxine Peake, boosting sales.

But now officials say the income from visitors, film-makers and fans is not proving sufficient to cover the costs of providing their youth work for the area.

The club offers sport and other activities six days a week to more than 200 young people in one of the most deprived areas of the country.

Costs have surged and the club is finding it increasingly expensive to look after its 120-year-old, Grade II Listed home. 

Income from grants has slumped, bosses say, while the club’s annual utilities bill is £15,000, building maintenance fees are £15,000 and insurance costs £13,000.

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The club says it needs £108,000 to cover the current monthly losses for another six months while it sets up initiatives meant to generate longer-term funds.

Yet another £55,000 is needed for new staff for six months to do so, while estimates suggested a further £98,000 is necessary to replenish reserves.

Last year the club’s annual income was £160,000, which included donations, money from open days and visitors, hiring out the building for events such as weddings, as well as its online shop.

And yet outgoings for the next 12 months are estimated to be as much as £394,700.

Salford Lads Club is based in Ordsall where 689 children under the age of 16 live in low-income families, amounting 46 percent of all children in the area.

The local child poverty rate is said to be especially high for older children, rising to 57 per cent of those between 11 and 15 - the highest rate in the city.

Salford Lads Club's head of youth operations Laura Slingsby said: 'We've always been careful stewards of the funds we receive, investing in high quality youth work and staff to keep our programmes accessible to everyone in the community.

'However, the rising cost of utilities, staff, and operational expenses, combined with fewer available grants, have created an urgent financial need. Our mission has always been to "Brighten Young Lives and Make Good Citizens".

'Today, that mission is more relevant than ever, as many of the young people we serve face challenges like gang culture, poverty, and lack of opportunity.'

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Activities are still continuing for now, with club nights on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays offering sessions in football, boxing, table tennis and badminton.

Other activities include basketball, dodgeball, pool, chess, arts and crafts, drama workshops and music workshops, while free food is also provided.

Salford Lads Club now has six boys' football teams and in 2021 set up its first girls', with players taking the field on Saturdays and Sundays at Ordsall Park and Salford Sport Village.

Ms Slingsby said: 'That's 120 to 140 young people engaged in healthy activities both physical and mental.

'It costs £12,000 a season to hire these pitches from Salford Community Leisure. The club carries the entire cost of this to make sure it is affordable to all families.'

The club has also staged an annual camp every year since 1904 except for during the two world wars and also the Covid-19 pandemic.

The camps' activities delivered by professional instructors include abseiling, rock climbing, canoeing, ghyll scrambling, fell walking, high ropes, archery and bushcraft.

As part of the new fundraising drive, which includes a GoFundMe online appeal, the club says it intends to set up a Salford Lads and Girls Club Legacy Fund.

Money raised would be invested in a permanent trust, with a portion of the interest earnings to be downloaded each year as a crucial income stream.

Ms Slingsby added: 'The more we have in the fund the greater the annual returns, helping the club to become and remain self-sustainable.

'The club needs the urgent cash injection now to help close the current funding gap, as even if £1million is secured for the Legacy Fund now the returns wouldn’t be generated until next year.'