Stratford Club moves back home

It’s official — the Stratford Club will be relocating back to Juliet Street after the idea received overwhelming support at a meeting in July to discuss the potential move.

Stratford Club president Alister Willis says over 100 supporters turned up to the meeting, with a further 50 putting in apologies but expressing support.

“Now it’s time to move on that decision and get the club back in its old home.”

While the Stratford Club previously owned the Juliet Street building, it won’t this time, having sold the building to a young couple in 2017. The couple have agreed to lease the building back to the club, says Alister, who is delighted the club will once again have its own space.

When the club ceased trading at the Juliet Street venue in February 2016, club members used the TET Stadium bar and Bistro as a meeting point, but Alister says the time is right to go back to their own space.

“Not owning the building means we have fewer overheads this time around, so it is financially viable. Some Stratford RSA members have expressed an interest in also sharing the space, with one member already on the Stratford Club committee. Alister says he is confident the two clubs will be able to work together to best use the club and meet the needs of all members.

“Potentially members may look at a name change in the future, but decisions like that need to be made by financial members either at the Annual General Meeting, or sometime later.”

Alister says he and the rest of the committee hope to see lots of members at the AGM, which is on Sunday, October 21. With a strong committee already in place, people don’t need to worry attending will mean they’re seconded onto a committee.

“We welcome people joining the committee of course, but don’t want people to stay away because they are too busy to be on the committee. The AGM is for everyone, not just committee members.

“People do need to be financial members if they want to be able to vote at the AGM, so we are reminding them to make sure their membership is up to date. Committee members will be present for a couple of hours before the AGM starts to take any last-minute applications and payments.”

Since the July meeting they have also had several members offer labour or professional services to help get the club back to its former glory. They have also had some members pledge money to help rebuild it.

“While we still have things like the pool and snooker tables ready to move back into the building, we need to purchase some furniture and many other items for the club to properly operate.”

Plans are in place to have the restaurant back up and running, says Alister.

“We want the Stratford Club to once again be a place where people can come, enjoy a drink or some food, some great company, and enjoy the atmosphere.”

■ Stratford Club AGM: Mary Alice Chapel, Regan Street. Sunday, October 21 at 1pm.