A century-old social club has permanently shut its doors, with its former secretary warning that rising taxes could spell doom for the entire hospitality sector.
Briercliffe Social Club, which first opened in 1921, closed suddenly last week after 103 years of serving the local community.
Former club secretary Diane Levens pointed to mounting financial pressures as the primary cause.
She said: "Less footfall, changing habits, and sky-high bills contributed to its closure."
Briercliffe Social Club first opened in 1921
Levens specifically highlighted the burden of increasing taxes on the establishment: "Taxes kept going up, and it is such a large building that is difficult to maintain."
The committee had anticipated the closure for several years, according to the former club secretary.
Levens explained: "It was a very tough decision to make, but we saw this coming for two to three years, and things have just been going from bad to worse, so we decided to close before we had to close."
She issued a stark warning about the future of similar establishments across the country, Levens said: "In another few years, all the social clubs could be gone and once they are gone, you can't replace them."
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The committee had anticipated the closure for several years, according to the former club secretary
She added: "It's terrible for the industry at the moment. The whole drinking industry has now gone."
Levens urged the public to take action whilst there's still time: "It's too late for us, but if people don't use these places, pubs and clubs, they will be gone and will never be replaced."
The closure has had a profound impact on longtime patrons.
One regular shared: "I spent much of my early years in and around the club when my mum and dad were working. I was made a member on my 18th birthday, played for the snooker team for a few years, and did a stint on the committee for a couple of years. [I have] so much history with the club in my lifetime, it's a very sad day."
Local councillors acknowledged the loss
Another said: "Well done to the committee and staff, not an easy decision, but you have done the right thing. A big thank you for your commitment throughout. Without the punters drinking in pubs and clubs, this is the result, unfortunately."
A third added: “It will be sadly missed by those of us who still went in, but unfortunately, a sign of the times."
Local councillors acknowledged the loss.
They said: "Briercliffe's Borough Councillors are deeply saddened by the closure of the social club which has been a central part of the village's life for many years."
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