Droitwich Working Men’s Club has announced it will be closing its doors, more than a century after it began to serve the town, following a downturn in business since the Covid pandemic.
Martin Maycroft, 39, secretary of the club, said: “It’s going to be a big loss to the town. There will definitely be a lot of people who feel the loss.
“People in the town have had weddings there, christenings, birthday parties, sports teams. Then there’s the cribbage, dominoes, all sorts.
“Charity events, as well that we have done. Endless amounts that we have raised for charity over the years and it’s all come to a stop, unfortunately.”
CHARITABLE: The club had raised significant funds for charities (Image: Martin Maycroft)
The club’s final day of trading will be Saturday, March 28.
Mr Maycroft said it feels like a loss to his family, with both his parents also involved in the club.
“It’s like a loss to the family. My parents are the Steward and Stewardess. It just feels like such a loss,” he said.
“I remember going in when I was four or five years old. It’s sad, really. That is what I’m feeling and everybody else is feeling.
“My phone has been pinging with messages since we announced it’s going to be closed.
“All of the local people are saying how sorry they are to hear it’s going and what a loss it’s going to be to the community, and sharing their memories that they had there.
“Local business owners, as well, have been saying how sad it is to see it going.”
He said the closure comes as a result of the long-term effects of COVID, with fewer people coming into the club since.
“We were doing really well before COVID, he said. “In the best position we had been in since I have been involved.
“But it’s not been like it used to, we have struggled to get people through the door.
“Loan repayments, building repairs at extortionate prices and people just don’t seem to be going out as much since COVID.
“That’s not just us. I have been speaking to other club owners and they have been saying the same.
“Everything has been declining. The only this that seems to be going up is the costs that we’re paying.”
The club’s staff were advised to look elsewhere with the impending closure. One employee has already moved on, with three full-time members of staff set to lose their jobs.
