Sadness as club closes (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Sadness as club closes

9:11am Wednesday 28th May 2008 in Swindon By Gazette Reporter

GORSE Hill Working Men's club has been forced to close over outstanding debts.

The popular Chapel Street Club, which is more than 120-years-old, closed its doors some time last week.

"The club no longer exists," said Lionel Starling, Swindon Council's licensing manager.

"By definition it is no longer allowed to trade."

Franchisee Maddy Beau-voisin, of dance group Ceroc, which used the venue's ballroom for lessons, said the club will be sorely missed.

"We found out that the club was closing last Tuesday," she said.

"They are nice people there and they fought tooth and nail to keep it open.

"It is a real shame from our point of view, mostly because it is hard to find another venue suitable for dancing. It had the last proper ballroom floor in the area."

Ceroc lessons have now moved to Kingdown School in Stratton St Margaret.

Councillor David Glaholm (Penhill, Ind) said that the closure was sudden.

"There was no warning, nothing," he said.

"I just went up there the other night and the gates were closed.

"There'll be a lot of people mystified by this - it's bizarre.

"It was certainly well used. There were always people down there and they used to have live music and dances.

"The back room was renowned as being one of the best dance halls in Wiltshire at one time.

"I find it all very bizarre that they would close so suddenly and without a word to anyone.

"There should have been a notice outside informing the members of what was going to happen."

Councillor John Ballman (Gorse Hill and Pinehurst, Lab) said: "None of the councillors are members so we cannot comment on the internal workings.

"But we are sorry to see the end of what is a much-loved and much-used community asset."

The club was removed from a national list of registered clubs by the Working Men's Club and Institute Union (CIU) in October.

The CIU said the club was not following basic rules.

Nobody from Gorse Hill Working Men's club was available for comment.