Con Club

[Atarah]

I know someone mentioned the Con Club in a different thread, but I think it should be here, where it will be easier to find. I just spent ages trying to find the original posting.

This historic Grade II listed building (built 1891) was once the social point of Accrington and was the largest Conservative Club in the country. The ballroom was the showpiece of the building. Everyone used this club - the Police Ball was held there, the Cricket Club used it - top events were always taking place here.

Before Xmas scaffolding went up, but thats now all been taken down, so we will just have to keep an eye on the local papers, to find out what they are up to next.

Here is an old postcard view of Cannon Street, showing the Con Club, and two up to date photos of the exterior here. Remember the expression .... A Queen Anne front and a Mary Anne behind.

 

[wadey]

Thanks for the update, until you actually walk round the area it's hard to grasp just how big it is

 

[garinda]

Some photographs of it's present sad state.
Accrington Conservative Club

Hopefully some good news. Fingers crossed.
Accrington Conservative Club plans back on track (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Records of the club, which boasted the largest sprung dance floor in the country.
Accrington Conservative Club Archive (The John Rylands University Library - The University of Manchester)

 

[Atarah]

Garinda! You are a star! Fantastic info you have just posted!
Atarah

 

[garinda]

Garinda! You are a star!

Someone will shoot me, if you keep saying that.

 

[garinda]

The Conservative Club, Blackburn Road, is a commodious building, opened in September, 1882, the cost of erection being about £4,000. The club was formerly held in premises in Abbey Street, which had become inadequate for the purpose.
Lancashire OnLine Parish Clerk Project -

It's probably cost that to repair one or two windows nowadays.

 

[Bob Dobson]

I havre written to the John Rylands library in Manchester to point out that the Con Club records are the only Accrington items in their archive, and suggest that they send them over to the Lancashire record office where they will be with lots of other Accrington records. When looking for records, people think LRO (Lancashire Record Office) and not Manchester.
I know a lass in Accrington who has a Queen Anne front and a Mary Anne backside. THis phrase comes from an old music hall song. Maybe that was what inspired the people of what was at first called Mary Ann Street, off Castle St, to get the name changed to Milton St.

 

[Jaybee]

Surely the owners should be oblidged to restore and maintain a grade II listed building - not demolish it?

 

[Barrie Yates]

The Conservative Club, Blackburn Road, is a commodious building, opened in September, 1882, the cost of erection being about £4,000. The club was formerly held in premises in Abbey Street, which had become inadequate for the purpose.
Lancashire OnLine Parish Clerk Project -

It's probably cost that to repair one or two windows nowadays.

Perhaps I am just being thick and missing something obvious, but I am somewhat confused by the stated location "The Conservative Club, Blackburn Road".
Was there ever a Conservative Club on Blacburn Rd, before the Cannon St one was built?

 

[garinda]

Perhaps I am just being thick and missing something obvious, but I am somewhat confused by the stated location "The Conservative Club, Blackburn Road".
Was there ever a Conservative Club on Blacburn Rd, before the Cannon St one was built?

I presume that's a mistake.

Only other explanation I can think of is it might once had land in front of it, that opened on Blackburn Road, but that seems highly unlikely.

 

[jaysay]

Perhaps I am just being thick and missing something obvious, but I am somewhat confused by the stated location "The Conservative Club, Blackburn Road".
Was there ever a Conservative Club on Blacburn Rd, before the Cannon St one was built?

It would appear the records are wrong Barrie, unless Blackburn Road has been moved and knowbody tolds us

 

[garinda]

I'm sure there'll be a lady along shortly, who'll settle the matter.

Atarah! You're needed.

 

[odders]

The only thing I know of this place, are the current plans and hope for the building. And that is to demolish all except the front off the building, and erecting a 3 sided glass structure. Possibly to be used as office space etc...

Such a shame that somebody has left this place to rot. I went in about 3/4 years ago when I noticed a broken window, that was easy access. It hadn't been trashed really and looked as if the owners had just up sticks. Although one of the upstairs windows had actually fell out(frame as-well) and landed on the carpet. Within weeks the kids had got in, then the local scum and since then I have slowly watched this magnificent building all but die. The council have a lot to answer for as do the local heritage trusts.

 

[jaysay]

The only thing I know of this place, are the current plans and hope for the building. And that is to demolish all except the front off the building, and erecting a 3 sided glass structure. Possibly to be used as office space etc...

Such a shame that somebody has left this place to rot. I went in about 3/4 years ago when I noticed a broken window, that was easy access. It hadn't been trashed really and looked as if the owners had just up sticks. Although one of the upstairs windows had actually fell out(frame as-well) and landed on the carpet. Within weeks the kids had got in, then the local scum and since then I have slowly watched this magnificent building all but die. The council have a lot to answer for as do the local heritage trusts.

What the hell as it got to do with the council its private property

 

[odders]

What the hell as it got to do with the council its private property

They should ensure that a building with such significant history should not be left in such a state. Why have such a lovely building in the town doing nothing? They should at least try to make the owners responsible for its upkeep, not just let it get trashed week in year out.

 

[odders]

Anyway it's to late now, plans will be submitted, and passed. The interior is to far gone to repair, due to costs. So it's simply cheaper to demolish and build new. Shame as it was salvageable a few years ago...

 

[jaysay]

They should ensure that a building with such significant history should not be left in such a state. Why have such a lovely building in the town doing nothing? They should at least try to make the owners responsible for its upkeep, not just let it get trashed week in year out.

Sometimes its hard work just find out where the owners are hiding, then forcing them to take action is another issue, its not just straight forward

 

[garinda]

Sometimes its hard work just find out where the owners are hiding, then forcing them to take action is another issue, its not just straight forward

When the Conservative Association decided to put it on the market, how much was it sold for?

 

[garinda]

'The former Conservative Club has been empty for a number of years. It was latterly a nightspot known as Churchills which closed in 2003. It was up for auction four years ago for a price of £450,000.'

'...owner Iftakharul Bhatti from Nelson-based Woodgreen Developments said that the building was in such a state of disrepair that demolition was now the only option.'

'MOST of the historic Accrington Conservative Club, including its famous ballroom, will be demolished under a £13million development plan, it has been revealed.'
Accrington Conservative Club ballroom faces demolition (From Lancashire Telegraph)

 

[jaysay]

When the Conservative Association decided to put it on the market, how much was it sold for?

Haven't a clue Garinda, the building actually belonged to the Union of Conservative Clubs