‘We’ve got bookings all through this year’
DISBELIEF AS BASFORD SOCIAL CLUB CLOSES DOWN
LOCALS, including the venue’s own manager, have shared their shock at a popular social club being “closed with immediate effect”.
The last postfrom the Basford Hall Miners’ Welfare Facebook page says “the club is closed with immediate effect” and that “further details will be given at a later point”.
Admins have since completely reset the Facebook page, but the website is still live.
It is understood the venue is being put into liquidation.
The announcement has sent shockwaves through the Basford community, including the venue’s manager, who says he was not aware of what was going on until 9.30pm on Monday night, around an hour after the Facebook post.
Kevin Cotterell is listed as the club’s steward, and he says his duties and responsibilities at the club are like that of a manager.
Now he wants answers. Speaking to the Post, Mr Cotterell said: “I’m completely shocked.
“I’ve been shaking since I was told last night.
“I had a pub in Grantham and I left that for this as, living in Stapleford.
“This is perfect for me – I’ve just purchased a campervan thinking everything is all right but then this happens.
“I’ve been here less than three months, but we’ve got booking all the way through this year, Fridays and Saturdays mainly, and it’s such a shock.
“My phone has not stopped ringing.
“This is a cracking building. It gives a lot out to the community and it gives thousands to charities, including the miners, and we’ve got about £680 to give to Hopewood in Nottingham.”
However Mr Cotterell is confident issues can be resolved.
He said: “I think customers should be able to get their money back because, as far as I’m aware, there’s an account that holds their cash, and as it gets done it goes into the weekly takings.”
One man had driven from his home in Carlton to the club to try and find out what is going on, as his family have spent £200 on a deposit for his daughter’s wedding there in September. Trevor Wells, 71, who is also the club secretary and physio at Carlton Town FC, said: “It is quite surprising and out of the blue. “We’ve got a wedding booked here for my daughter, and we’ve paid that deposit, so do I lose that or do I get it back as, as it stands, they’re cancelling the contract?
“A while ago we used to come here a lot.” Antonio Avila, 56, who lives in Basford, said: “It should still be open.
“I come here around once a month, and come to every other event, and it’s all right to be fair. “I will miss it.”
The Post has contacted Basford Hall Miners’ Welfare for further comment.
We’ve got a wedding booked here for my daughter and have paid the deposit
Trevor Wells, 71