It’s never nice to hear about an independent business going under, but it’s even worse when it’s a 100-year-old icon. The Salford Lads Club survived both world wars, five different kings and queens, and at least two global pandemics, but its 120 year reign could come to an end next month if it is unable to find a spare £250,000.
How did we get here? The venue opened in 1904 as a club for boys, later expanding to welcome all young people, and became a landmark in the ’80s when it featured on an album sleeve for the Smiths’ The Queen is Dead vinyl. Since its inception it has helped generations of local children, still providing near-daily sports and recreational activities to one of the city’s most deprived areas – but all of that is currently under threat.
The work that the Salford club does is expensive to run, and the upkeep on the Grade II-listed building isn’t cheap. The owners say that between increasing bills, reduced council grants, and general mounting maintenance costs, they simply won’t be able to keep the lights on for the rest of the year. They’ll be closing their doors for the last time this November if they aren’t able to reach their quarter of a million fundraising goal.
The club currently has £100,000 up on its GoFundMe, which you can donate to here. If it reaches its goal, the money will go towards day-to-day funds, as well as starting a ‘Salford Lads and Girls Club Legacy Fund’ which will go towards making sure it is not put in this situation again anytime soon.
Hopefully the rest of that cash will be delivered before the end of November, and the club can continue supporting the communities who need it most.
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