Under-threat lido club in plea for council help

Mounting debts and falling attendances could force one of the oldest working men's clubs in Staffordshire to close its doors after more than 120 years.

The Lido Working Men's Club in Norton Canes, near Cannock, which opened in 1889, is struggling to make ends meet in the face of rising fuel costs and dwindling numbers.

It lost £13,000 last year and club officials say there is little chance of recouping the loss. Now they are appealing to Cannock Chase District Council for hardship relief on its rates bill.

The historic social centre in School Road has 400 members, including an over-60s club and cribbage and darts teams.

But with an annual turnover of £42,000, the club is finding it hard to cover the weekly £550 total wage bill of its five employees.

Among them is club secretary David Wilson, a member for 17 years, who is working for nothing to help ease the financial crisis.

In a letter to the council, he said: "We've been struggling for a number of years but recent price rises, especially fuel costs, have led to severe problems, despite all efforts to save costs.

"Whilst I am aware that a hardship claim is very rare, if the club closes then all revenue from the Lido will be lost. A few months remission would give us some breathing space."

And he warned: "As a social club we are at the centre of people's lives but due to rising costs we cannot remain open."

The club was relaunched as The Lido in 1946 for returning soldiers and pitmen from the thriving mining industry.

In its heyday, the club boasted more than 1,500 members, offering cheap drinks and live entertainment but supermarkets have taken over the discount drinks trade and the smoking ban also took its toll.

The committee fears that if they are forced to close, the club might never re-open.

On a bid to drum up trade, members have appealed to villagers in Norton Canes to make more use of the club for events.

The members fear that if the Lido closes that it will never re-open and the building will fall into disrepair. They have appealed for people to "use it or lose it".

To find out about using the club call 01543 275714.