Beloved Manchester club facing eviction within days gets lifeline

A thriving Whalley Range social club has announced it has won a further two-month extension to the eviction notice it was served by the building's owner.

The Carlton Club in Whalley Range first announced that they had received the notice in August, after the building's owners (a separate entity) informed them that they wanted to run their own business from the premises starting from September.

But the club was then awarded a six week extension - and has now announced that the two parties have agreed on another two month reprieve, lasting until January 10, 2025.

READ MORE: This 'beating heart' of a corner of south Manchester could soon be gone

It follows a six-week period of initial discussions around heads of terms for a new lease between the Carlton Social and Bowling Club (the community interest company) and the Carlton Social and Bowling Club Building Company Limited, who own the building, a stately 19th century villa on Carlton Road.

Justin Anderson, acting chair of the Club, said: “This is good news and will certainly come as a relief to our staff, members and the wider community.

“The issues we are trying to resolve are complex, and it is clear we need more time to reach an agreement. To help the process, we have suggested that we progress the next set of talks with the help of an independent mediator.

“We very much hope the Building Company will accept this suggestion, as we believe it offers the best route to achieving a lasting solution that recognises the needs of both organisations.”

Mr Anderson added: “While this is positive news, there is still a long way to go. The future of the club relies on us achieving an affordable and workable lease that will protect it for the long-term. Until we achieve that, the club is still at risk.

“We’d like to thank everyone who has supported our campaign. It is making a real difference.”

The club's fundraiser helping fund its legal fees has now reached over £33,000 of its £50k target, and its petition has almost met its target of 7,500 signatures.

Club a much-loved fixture in city

Hosting an array of live music and DJ nights, the club is a much-loved fixture of south Manchester's nightlife - but is home to a whole host of daytime activities too, with jumble sales, fitness classes, community gardening and poetry readings filling its packed schedule.

The M.E.N's Adam Maidment paid a visit last month and found a lively Zumba class in full swing. One of the attendees, Joy Wales, told him that people socialise outside the classes too, with the club serving as an important hub for contact.

"There are a few widowed people here, some who have lost their husbands, and they often meet up after for walking, dancing elsewhere and all kinds of stuff," said Joy.

“I don’t have any children and I only know the names of a handful of my neighbours, but since coming here, I have become friends with a lot of people. It’s just a good way for people to get to know each other.”

Fellow club member Frances Jackson said: "“It’s just a lifeline, it keeps us all going. Health wise and socially too, we’d all fall apart without it."

The Carlton Club isn't the only Manchester institution is fighting to keep its doors open. The Manchester Evening News has launched a fundraiser to help secure the future of Salford Lad's Club - and it's just received a £50k donation from Morrissey himself.