Rise and fall of WMCs

jaysay · 12-09-2010, 09:53

What are your thoughts on the falling from grace of working men's clubs, bingo has been mentioned in another thread, what's your take

Less · 12-09-2010, 10:20

When it costs more for a pint in a 'non profit making' WMC than it does in a pub no wonder membership dwindles.

MargaretR · 12-09-2010, 10:29

I once participated in the 'rescue' of a WMC.
It was 'going under' due to the devious syphoning off of funds by an earlier committee.
The financial transactions were not properly monitored, so that theft was possible without risk of detection.

When we were told of examples such as -
..a committee member making a 200 mile round trip during his holiday, for the sole purpose of doing his 'job' of emptying the one armed bandits .... you become aware that fiddling by committee members was accepted and the others 'turned a blind eye' and had their own perks.

The new committee I was part of for about a year, were aware of the past fiddling and were determined to put the club back on its feet. I worked two evenings a week selling raffle tickets during concert nights (the place was packed) for the small reward of two free pints of beer.

As the club regained its viability, some of us left the committee and gradually the culture of the committee's financial perks crept back

flashy · 12-09-2010, 10:38

My dad used to go to Intack WMC until it stopped opening during the week, it only opens at weekends now, whats the point in paying your subs for such little usage

cashman · 12-09-2010, 10:50

these things pointed out, have added to the decline, more expensive ale, not open as used to be etc, i still maintain the decline started wi sodding bingo, fer reasons i mentioned in other thread,i think its a build up of these differant things, making clubs no longer attractive to many people, as Margaret R said. committees back in the day have much to answer for.

Benipete · 12-09-2010, 11:18

I was once hauled before a "committee" who asked.
"Why have you changed the lock on the upstairs bar"

My reply "How do you know I have" - I was met with a wall of silence.

Says quite a lot.

JCB · 12-09-2010, 19:09

Over recent years the character of the clubs I used to frequent has changed a lot . Much of it not for the good .
This may be because of the steady decline in membership , volunteers for the committee , and general attendance .

I can recall going into the Willow Mount on a Saturday night , and by 7.30 it was nearly full . Good company . Good artists . Good beer . Good times .

Bob Dobson · 12-09-2010, 19:27

How about the smoking ban?

JCB · 12-09-2010, 19:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Dobson

How about the smoking ban?

I think that has contributed to the decline .

The last time I visited a club I didn't like having to keep going outside for a fag . But I believe smokers have lost that battle .

Benipete · 12-09-2010, 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCB

Over recent years the character of the clubs I used to frequent has changed a lot . Much of it not for the good .
This may be because of the steady decline in membership , volunteers for the committee , and general attendance .

I can recall going into the Willow Mount on a Saturday night , and by 7.30 it was nearly full . Good company . Good artists . Good beer . Good times .

I built the small extension on the front there just to house the one armed bandits.Pity they did little for the two legged ones.

Benipete · 12-09-2010, 21:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Dobson

How about the smoking ban?

Not the cause of the decline but did nothing to help.

Barrie Yates · 12-09-2010, 21:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Dobson

How about the smoking ban?

No WMCs here that I know of but the only bar/pubs that are doing OK are the ones that have stuck 2 fingers up to the smoking ban. No anti-smoking enforcers here, sometimes feel sorry that I quit over a year ago

Mancie · 12-09-2010, 23:58

To me.. and I'll be honest.. the demise of "working mens clubs" started in the late 70's early 80's.. mass unemployment is bound have a bad effect on "working men clubs".. also there was a time when you could not have a drink between 3 to 5 pm in pubs but people so inclined would go to th WMC's.. they were not needed after the new licence laws.
It is a worry.. speaking for myself when I do venture out to some parts I usually end up in a working men's clubs up north.. Lancashire, Northumberland, Cumbria.. all are first class and drinks are well priced..I don't think there is a demise of WMC's.. the pubs have far more problems.

cashman · 13-09-2010, 08:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mancie

To me.. and I'll be honest.. the demise of "working mens clubs" started in the late 70's early 80's.. mass unemployment is bound have a bad effect on "working men clubs".. also there was a time when you could not have a drink between 3 to 5 pm in pubs but people so inclined would go to th WMC's.. they were not needed after the new licence laws.
It is a worry.. speaking for myself when I do venture out to some parts I usually end up in a working men's clubs up north.. Lancashire, Northumberland, Cumbria.. all are first class and drinks are well priced..I don't think there is a demise of WMC's.. the pubs have far more problems.

if yer being honest the demise started late 70s early 80s? yet ya don't think there is a demise.

makes perfect sense.

jaysay · 13-09-2010, 08:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mancie

To me.. and I'll be honest.. the demise of "working men's clubs" started in the late 70's early 80's.. mass unemployment is bound have a bad effect on "working men clubs".. also there was a time when you could not have a drink between 3 to 5 pm in pubs but people so inclined would go to Th WMC's.. they were not needed after the new licence laws.
It is a worry.. speaking for myself when I do venture out to some parts I usually end up in a working men's clubs up north.. Lancashire, Northumberland, Cumbria.. all are first class and drinks are well priced..I don't think there is a demise of WMC's.. the pubs have far more problems.

I think all licenced premises have problems, for various reasons, a total smoking ban didn't help any of them, you say you don't thin there is a demise Mancie, when clubs such as James Street and King Street, in there day probably two of the busiest clubs in Hyndburn, go to the wall and clubs such as Stanhill and the Nash in Ossy are struggling there are problems. I think the fact is that were as people like us Mancie, when we first started drinking joined a WMC, I joined the Nash, today's generations of new drinkers don't, its a local pub then down town, plus in our day if you were interested in say, playing snooker, WMC was the place, in our day there was only the Elite, now there are numerous snooker clubs up and down, all these factors don't help, sadly