Rescue plan unveiled for village's under-threat working men's club

A VALUE food menu and extended opening hours are being introduced in a bid to safeguard the future of Burley working men’s club.

The facility, known locally as the Wathen Bartlett, is located opposite Burley Cross and has operated as a working men’s club for more than 100 years.

Last month the A&T revealed it was threatened with closure after several volunteers announced their plans to retired ahead of the recent AGM.

The existing trustees also described the club current financial situation as “not good”, although the AGM heard debts had been reduced significantly in recent months.

The facility first opened around 1904 and was gifted to the working men of Burley on a 1,000-year lease in 1945 by Mrs Vanda Wathen-Bartlett. The bar is open to the public, with drink discounts for club members.

The original building is believed to date back to 1897, with an extension in the 1970s to create a large function room and new entrance.

Newly appointed committee member Steve Read told the A&T that several members, potential trustees and committee members have now come forward to request a 10-day period to formulate a rescue plan.

Mr Read said: “If no proposals came forward then the existing trustees had solicitors on stand-by to start the process of closing the business down and handing the premises back to the Wathen-Bartlett family who would, in turn, sell the property and land.”

A further emergency meeting of interested parties took place on Tuesday when four people agreed to stand as trustees and a further five people came forward to form a committee.

Mr Read said: “Plans include opening for a few hours on a Monday and Tuesday evening with the bar covered on a voluntary basis and the introduction of simple, tasty, value for money food on a Friday and Saturday evening and Saturday and Sunday lunchtimes.

“A new website is in the process of being introduced along with better use of social media and hand delivered leaflets throughout the village. There was plenty of enthusiasm to reintroduce quiz nights, darts and pool competitions and summer barbecues.”

The new opening hours will be Monday and Tuesday 6pm to 9pm; Friday 6pm to 11pm; Saturday 12 noon to 9pm and Sunday 12 noon to 6pm.

To donate go to www.gofundme.com/save-the-wathenbartlett-burley-club.