Longridge Sports and Social Club to close after 85 years

Longridge Sports and Social Club is closing its doors after 85 years of serving the town's community.
Longridge Sports and Social Club.Longridge Sports and Social Club.
Longridge Sports and Social Club.

Treasurer of the club, Derek Helm, said: “It’s a financial decision unfortunately. We had a meeting with all the members last November where we appealed for new committee members to come forward.

“The questions asked us how long we might stay open and I said about six months, which has rung true.

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“There’s a great deal of regret and sadness but we decided there is no way forward.”

The decision was taken on Sunday, April 22, and the doors will close for good on Saturday, May 12.

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It also sold the car park and games room to fund the club - both of which are now home to newly-built homes.

“After we left the Lion we double our members but they didn’t seem to come into the club,” Freckleton-resident Derek explained. “We needed them in on a regular basis to run efficiently.”

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“I’ve been the treasurer for the last 18 years and it’s been a struggle all that time, to be honest. We were hoping there was going to be longer but its come to a head very suddenly.”

Whispers about the club’s demise had been circulating for some time, something Derek described as “some false, some true”.

The land will now be sold to the highest bidder.

“The money will be split between the members if those members have been here for at least two years,” Derek explained.

A meeting is going to be held at the club on Wednesday, May 2, at 8pm to discuss what happens next with members.

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Questions now remain over the club’s crown green bowling members, with the season having only just started.

Derek said: “We are hoping they bowlers season can keep going as it’s only just started. The hope is they can see it out.”

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