Club is rescued by deal at 11th-hour
40-year-old Woolworths Club in Castleton announced it was to close due to ‘historic debt’ problems. CLOSURETHREATENED But following an emergency committee meeting it social club was was announced it had saved at the 11th hour. signed a new contract with
Last week the suppliers, which will enable
Anear it to stay open.
After holding a meeting with their brewery suppliers, the future is looking bright for the club which is set to sign a new contract in the next week or so.
In the meantime, a proposal and a presentation is to be put forward by the suppliers to the committee and a vote will be made on the proposal.
The club has since taken down a crowdfunding page online which aimed to raise £30,000 in a bid to save the ‘family club.’
Bob Ashton, who has been a shareholder, stew- ard and committee member at the club for 20 years, described the news as ‘fantastic.’
He added: “At the 11th hour Woolworths Club, with the help from our partners and suppliers, is able to continue trading with a new contract.
“It’s fantastic news for the Castleton committee. I want to thank all our loyal members and the community for its support.”
Updates on the new contract are expected to be announced within the next couple of weeks.
Castleton councillor Billy Sheerin said it was a ‘massive relief’ to hear about the club’s ‘rescue plan.’
He added: “I was hoping that some sort of solution could be found and now I’m absolutely thrilled to bits. They would have lost a well-loved asset to village. That’s a massive relief.”
‘Woolies’ club was founded on 3 December 1979 by employees of the Woolworth Distribution Centre, on Royle Barn Road, Castleton. In the same year, Woolworths PLC purchased the club.
This isn’t the first time the club has been saved at the last minute. In January 2009, former owners, Woolworths PLC, closed down as a company.
In December 2010, the members of the club formed a property group and bought the club and land, saving it from demolition.
Since then, the community hub has hosted events such as birthdays, funerals and weddings and provided a venue for monthly meetings for the likes of the Labour Party and Rochdale Lions.