After 128 years at heart of the community, club is facing closure
A SOCIAL club which has spent more than a century at the heart of the community could be knocked down to make way for flats.
Kearsley Social Club on Manchester Road, Bolton, could be demolished to make way for an apartment block with 24 flats in its place.
The rest of the land will be used for a car park, with 21 spaces for resident parking.
The developers, Watson Homes, has put in a planning application outlining its proposals, and has confirmed the flats would be affordable and run by social housing operator Bolton at Home if successful.
The company says these are the kinds of houses ‘most-needed by Kearsley residents.’
But residents have been left disappointed, saying that the club has a vital place in the community. Built in 1892, they also fear that a key piece of Kearsley history will be lost if the building were to be knocked down. The club’s manager was one of those who said he would be sad to see the place go, but admitted the venue has been struggling to attract customers. The manager, who wished not to be named, said: “If I could keep it open, I would. It used to be the social club for the mill next door. It’s sad and it’s a pity - I would love it to stay open but there are a lot of repairs.”
Kearsley councillor Paul Heslop said that residents have ‘an ongoing dialogue with the owner. He added: “People do not want to see it go, it would be a real loss to the community.
“Practically everything has gone from Kearsley. If there is more housing, there will be no community facilities for people to go to because the very places have been sold for housing. There will be no socialising.” The developer’s plans include a mix of five twobedroom flats and 19 one-bedroom flats.
The director of Watson Homes, Rob Watson, said: “We recognise that there are some concerns from people in the local area about the loss of Kearsley Social Club. However, we believe our plans for the site will greatly benefit the community.”
The owner of Kearsley Social Club was contacted for comment.