Con Club
 

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.

Re: Con Club
 

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

Re: Con Club
 

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)

Re: Con Club
 

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

Re: Con Club
 

:o

Someone will shoot me, if you keep saying that.

:D

Re: Con Club
 

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.

Re: Con Club
 

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.

Re: Con Club
 

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

Re: Con Club
 

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?

Re: Con Club
 

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.

Re: Con Club
 

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

Re: Con Club
 

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

Atarah! You're needed.

:D

Re: Con Club
 

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.

Re: Con Club
 

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

Re: Con Club
 

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.

Re: Con Club
 

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...

Re: Con Club
 

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

Re: Con Club
 

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

Re: Con Club
 

'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)

Re: Con Club
 

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

Re: Con Club
 

I can't think it went for anything like £450,000 when sold originally, the reason it was sold was because it needed so much work doing on it, it was riddled with Dry Rot which would have cost, even in those days, £250k+

Re: Con Club
 

The last time I saw it up for auction was at least 2 years ago and it was for offers of £350k+.

Re: Con Club
 

£250k though ain't a lot of money, considering the front is worth at least double that. Such a shame that monies couldn't be found earlier, the owners are laughing all the way to the bank. By the time they have recycled all the back and interior, they will have enough money to put up a cheap prefab structure in its place.

Re: Con Club
 

O.K. mate lend us a "Monkey":D

Re: Con Club
 

I'm talking about the early 90s, now your talking £750K, it wasn't a viable concern at the time the only thing was to sell it

Re: Con Club
 

Yes, the days when there were enough Conservatives in Hyndburn to do the Dinky One Step, and fill that vast ballroom floor, are long gone.

:rolleyes::D

Re: Con Club
 

My step mum was Stewardess when it closed as a Conservative Club, as I remember, it went into Administration! x

Re: Con Club
 

I bet the local mulims are really ****ed off now...no sooner do they get planning permission for the mosque up Higher Antley Street, then this site comes along. Just think..Saturday morning call to prayer versus St Jame's Wedding Bell ringing. Who could make the most noise?

Re: Con Club
 

Thanks for linking to my site at www.theviewfromthenorth.org. :)

If the owners had actually got round to securing and maintaining the building, e.g. replacing the large window which had mysteriously fallen in on the top floor, then who knows, it might not have got into such a sorry state. But there again the ownership of this place seemed to be in question last year, as was the church over the road. I was meant to be legitamately visiting the church with the permission of the supposed owners, but it turns out they didn't actually own it. :confused:
But that's another story.............

Acquiring a listed building and letting it rot until it's beyond economic repair (especially with the ridiculous demands placed on the restoration of listed buildings by English Heritage) is a tried and tested way of over-riding planning rules. However, it is more above board than finding that arsonists have burnt the place down, which is just as effective.

Re: Con Club
 

The Con in its hey day was used by all the community, Saturday and Monday nights in the sixties was choker block, its one problem was all those bloody stares :D

Re: Con Club
 

I knew the the Stewardess at the time it closed, but I'v lost lots of those little grey since and can't for the life in me remember her name:o

Re: Con Club
 

[quote=jaysay;806268]The Con in its hey day was used by all the community, Saturday and Monday nights in the sixties was choker block, its one problem was all those bloody stares :D[/quote


It was always packed on Saturday nights in the mid/late '50s - you often needed a ticket to get in, which used to be on sale from 5 or 6 o'clock - I lived nearer than my mates so i was always elected and then we could go for a few pints before hand - Happy Days, Fantastic Memories

Re: Con Club
 

I think that was the plan all along......it's being done on a regular basis nowadays and I for one think it should be stopped, why should we lose all of these beautiful old building so that these people can make extra money...it's a crying shame :mad:

Re: Con Club
 

It seems that throughout Brittany the old buildings stay in the towns - in every town there are medieaval buildings - a few of which still bear the scars fom English cannon balls. Shop/house fronts cannot be changed even by repair - must be as original. Internals can be changed to suit the business.
Any new business construction must be in one of the business parks, new houses on the outskirts of towns or in areas with no historical/architectural value.
The majority of towns look good and are a pleasure to walk round.

Re: Con Club
 

Marian Cook, and the sec was Joan Scholes(sp?)

Re: Con Club
 

Has anyone got any photos of the building when it was open? I have looked all over the internet. I have plenty of shots of the building as it is now because i visit it regularly with friends. But I want some photosfrom its heyday. If anyone has got any please share them, it would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Re: Con Club
 

No you are correct, Cannon Street was previously Blackburn Road too!
Ive been doing a lot of research, check out this newspaper article that I found!

Re: Con Club
 

Cant read the article, but am very sceptical with what you say. I know its a cutting from Accrington library, I can make that much out, but the writing is all blurred (and too small).

Re: Con Club
 

Click the image above once then it should expand out a bit, then click it again and it should open in a new window and then if you are on internet explorer you can zoom even more by clicking the image again. Hope it help. So to describe that in a short way, just keep pressing the picture and it should get bigger and bigger.

Re: Con Club
 

Know what? My first thoughts are, this article is NOT about the Con Club on Cannon Street, but the fine building which is still, as I speak, at the bottom of Eagle St and Blackburn Road. (once owned by Hyndburn Council but unfortunately now empty). I am led to believe that the Con Club we know was built in 1891, 10 years after that article was written. I think a lot more research needs to be done on this matter.

Re: Con Club
 

Yes, I think that too especially with phrases like "on the left towards Eagle Street". Yet another handsome edifice that we all probably walk past many times without really noticing it!

Re: Con Club
 

Hi, I have just remembered something. In Accrington library there is most definitely a SKETCH done by Henry Ross, the local architect. I have just searched through my paperwork at home and unfortunately cant just put my finger on it, but ... I WILL! I am more and more convinced the heading written on Accrington Library "paperwork" does NOT refer to what you have assumed is our famous Accy Con. To be continued ...........
ps no way was Cannon Street ever Blackburn Road! Trust me!

Re: Con Club
 

It does say ' to erect at the junction of Blackburn Road and Eagle Street, nearly opposite the Railway Hotel'. Is/was the Railway not on the main road?
No mention of steps at the front, just a pointed gateway.
The Conversation room is 'lighted from Blackburn Road' and the Smoke Room 'lighted from Eagle Street'.
I can't see a fine building like that being erected then replaced within 10 years by an even finer one on Cannon Street. Was this a plan which never happened?

Re: Con Club
 

bit more to add to the puzzle:-
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.

Re: Con Club
 

So in Sept 1881 they had just started knocking down the old building, by Sept 1882 the new Con club was open. That's good going. It does say in the cutting 'The cost, including the site but exclusive of furniture,will reach £2500' so £4000 seems right.
Then 9 years later they move again to a magnificent newly built Cannon Street!
There may have been a lot of muck but there must have been plenty of brass in Accrington in those days.

Re: Con Club
 

I am more and more convinced the heading written on Accrington Library "paperwork" does NOT refer to what you have assumed is our famous Accy Con. To be continued ...........
ps no way was Cannon Street ever Blackburn Road! Trust me![/QUOTE]
The Con Club on Cannon Street is shown on the 1909 street plan where it is today. The present day Cannon St is the 2nd street bearing that name in Accrington, the 1st Cannon St is now Queen St, off Abbey St.

Re: Con Club
 

The Con Club on Cannon Street is shown on the 1909 street plan where it is today. The present day Cannon St is the 2nd street bearing that name in Accrington, the 1st Cannon St is now Queen St, off Abbey St. [/QUOTE]
Cheers for the update Retlaw.

Re: Con Club
 

Well guess what! Today I had the PLEASURE of meeting Ewoodsambo3! Absolute fluke, hadnt a clue who he was, but by picking bits of conversation up, I started thinking it MUST be Ewoodsambo3, and IT WAS!! What a lovely, lovely lad!

Re: Con Club
 

Was yeh visiting n Asylum Atarah?:D

Re: Con Club
 

You know what Cashy, if you ever meet him, you WILL EAT THOSE WORDS. He is a really really nice lad! Trust me!

Re: Con Club
 

Suspicious fire at former Accrington nightclub (From Lancashire Telegraph)

fire at the con club last night..anyone else thinking the same thing as me? insurance job?

Re: Con Club
 

can't think of any firm who'd insure it Shaz:rolleyes:

Re: Con Club
 

Wasn't there a fire there a while back? From what we were told the place was more-or-less gutted then. What a waste of a building it is - was my husband's old stomping ground (was going to say hunting ground but that might conjure up pictures of wild youths chasing after members of the female variety - hmm!!!! maybe that picture fits - don't want to know about it).
I agree, Jaysay, insurance companies don't make their big profits by insuring such places, or if they did the premiums would be huge.

Re: Con Club
 

Would a building like that escape from any insurance, what about 3rd party if it collapses or damages other properties etc.

Re: Con Club
 

There isn't really any damage to be done Walter, if you have an empty house or a factory say, would you insure it:confused:

Re: Con Club
 

What happens if, through neglect/failure to maintain the property, stonework falls from the building and damages cars or injures people?

Re: Con Club
 

Car gets damaged,or people get hurt.:D

Re: Con Club
 

Barrie, it dose not matter if the building is insured. If the insurance company can prove that the claim has been caused through lack of maintenance, and, or neglect, they will not pay. The property owner will have to pay the claim

Re: Con Club
 

The council has the power to enforce that the owner of a building keeps it safe and secure,whether it's insured or not. I know thats debateable in the Con's case but the mechanism is there. Private landlords and property owners have been taken to court in the past.

Re: Con Club
 

Smart A...:rolleyes:

Re: Con Club
 

Derelict Building Collapses and Crushes Parked Car in Stockport | News North West
While your on a bit of a roll Barrie, can you have a wonder what would happen if I won the Lottery.:D

Re: Con Club
 

Doubt if you'd be bothering about masonry falling from Accy Con:D

Re: Con Club
 

You probably spend time looking for the ticket and then realise that you forgot to buy it:D

Re: Con Club
 

I`ll go and get it now.:p

Re: Con Club
 

I met my first boyfriend at the Con Club early 70s it was the best place to go. That dance floor was fantastic never sat down from entering to leaving. Such a shame to see it in disuse. Still that's the way it goes these days knock down a solid beautiful well built building to replace it with some prefabricated box or worse a car park.

Re: Con Club
 

I took these of the demolition of Accy Con Club on 21st May 2016, after yet another 'fire'...

http://www.justcode.co.uk/images/dem...crane-4125.jpg

http://www.justcode.co.uk/images/dem...n-men-4083.jpg

http://www.justcode.co.uk/images/dem...men-4097-1.jpg

I live not far away so pass this 'eyesore' most day - and yes I do almost always have my camera with me, almost 14 months later it's still in the same state...