Last updated at 18:04, Wednesday, 25 April 2012

ONE of Barrow’s biggest working men’s clubs has been forced to close due to financial difficulties.

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Barrow Engineers Club shut its doors for the final time last night after an unforeseen bill spelled the end of the road for the Abbey Road venue.

The club is owned by its members, but increased running costs and dwindling customers led to the decision to close for good yesterday.

Club secretary Matt Blackburn said: “Unfortunately this is the end for the club.

“It was unforeseen because some bills arrived that none of us knew about, and we thought it was best to get out before we run up any more debt.

“The recession is the reason why it has come to this. We are one of the biggest clubs in town with around 500 members, but because the running costs are high and the fact that people are struggling financially themselves, we have been struggling to put bums on seats for a while.

“I don’t think we’ll be opening again – we are definitely closing for good.”

A last minute farewell concert took place last night, with local singer Denis Horan taking the mic for the last time.

He said: “I was only singing there on Sunday for St George’s Day and it was packed, and I was supposed to be there next week as well.

“It has the best stage in town and you play to 250-plus people. If you go back 30 or 40 years, people used to queue up Abbey Road to get in.

“It’s a shame that places like this are closing down, but times are changing and society’s changing.

“The clubs need to move with the times and the Engineers did. I don’t know what more could have been done, and it’s such a shame that the bills just became too much.

“It’s sad that it has come to this and Barrow’s a poorer place for it.”

Anyone who has outstanding bookings for Dance Masters UK events at the venue is advised to contact the company directly on 01229 343621.

First published at 13:55, Wednesday, 25 April 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk