#21 Deeper Into Outer Space | Save the Carlton Club
The historic community space, the Carlton Club in Whalley Range, is at serious risk of closure - find out how campaigners are fighting to keep it alive…
“If you live in Whalley Range, then you’ll know the Carlton Club is at the heart and soul of the community,” says Chris Fox, a key player in the Save Our Club campaign to keep the venue open.
“I’ve lived in Whalley Range for ten years, been a member for most of that time and made many lifelong friends through joining.”
The Carlton Club is located in south Manchester and a social space that embodies the multi-functional community vibe that is so important to many parts of the UK. As a nightclub, arts hub, venue for gigs and comedy, jumble sales and more, the calendar is an embarrassment of riches with activities responding to the needs of those who live in its orbit.
Sadly, despite its broad programming and activity, since the summer of 2024, the old Victorian venue has been at risk of closure. An existential threat of eviction has come through a dispute between the Building Company that owns the building and Carlton Social and Bowling Club Community Interest Company (CIC), set up to look after goes on between its walls.
At a time when the narrative around nightlife is unrelentingly bleak - the Nighttime Industries Association’s (NTIA) latest report claims it is on the brink of extinction with 10 clubs closing each month - Chris and his fellow campaigners have launched a bid to stop the CIC from being evicted. Since the launch of their fight and petition - which have been backed by the likes of Russell T Davies and Manchester’s Night Time Economy Adviser Sacha Lord - they’ve never been busier.
“We’ve got a huge amount of events going on at the moment,” says Chris. “Perversely, the campaign has really got the name of the Carlton Club out there and we’ve had loads of people calling up to book events. In some ways, it’s been a great reminder for locals to give them a nudge that we’re here.”
A century in Whalley Range
The venue has been located in Whalley Range for 111 years and, according to Chris, has been in rude health of late, with a huge events programme catering to different demographics. Everything from bike repair shops to yoga classes have been hosted here alongside gigs and club parties.
“There’s no such thing as ‘pipes and slippers’ anymore,” Chris explains. “In the past, there would have been this generation of people over a certain age living in Whalley Range and just staying at home.”
“But that’s not the case now, in fact the club is hitting a sweet spot with the older age group. Our club nights and live music events have a really strong following among older people.”
Chris has been involved in the club as secretary and a board member, becoming part of the group that launched Pride on the Range back in 2019.
“This was prior to the pandemic and it was really successful,” he says. “Then we did it again in 2021, and it’s taken place every year since. It’s been an amazing way of showing how many LGBT+ people live in the area as well as demonstrating their pride in the community.”
Chris cites the high profile story of the Save Our Club campaign in both regional and national media down to the savviness of the wider team. Many of those who organised events such as Pride have played an integral role in getting alarm bells ringing.
“More than 7,400 people have signed the petition so far and we only have 1,500 members,” says Chris. “It demonstrates the reach of the club and impact of the campaign.”
“The club definitely acts as a ‘third space’. It provides opportunities for gathering outside the work and home and can be really important for those looking to combat loneliness and get out of the house.”
Eviction threat
So what has led to this precipice that the Carlton Club now teeters on?
The story we’ve all become accustomed to reading is one of a soured relationship between a landlord and its tenant. But this complicated scenario is not your average set up - and goes back to articles outlined in 1913 by the club’s original founders.
According to Chris, “the articles are written in a way that asks the Building Company to protect and maintain the building for the membership - that effectively is how it’s always been.”
“It was only after the incorporation of the members club into a CIC that caused the Building Company to have issues around how that relationship would be managed in the future.”
Members of the CIC now believe that the Building Company wants to run its own business from the premises. However, campaigners are hoping that their endeavours will prevent this - and instead lead to a long tenure for the CIC to secure the future of the building and the role it plays in Whalley Range’s cultural fabric.
“Part of the problem is that the CIC has never had a lease,” says Chris. “We don’t disagree that we should be paying rent - but an issue we’ve had has been that the Building Company are inherited shareholders of the club, they’re not experienced landlords. As the CIC, we want to look after the building itself, and to do this we need a long lease. This would enable us to apply for grants and bursaries.”
The situation has boiled over, according to Chris, due to the arrival of new directors of the Building Company who have little connection with the club. He cites the articles from 1913 as outmoded and not fit for purpose.
“We pitched the idea of converting the Building Company to a charity or trust that the building could be passed onto,” says Chris. “Then the CIC could make money for the trust, the trust could invest in the building and apply for grants. That would be the natural way for the relationship to go forward - but they seem to want to remain as a limited company.”
The Save Our Club campaign has called for a halt to the eviction proceedings, more recognition of the role the CIC plays in the local community alongside permitting the CIC to continue operating from the premises. At the time of writing, an extension to the eviction notice is in effect until January 2025, meaning negotiations are ongoing.
“I believe we can agree heads of terms, then go into discussions surrounding a lease, something we’ve never had in place,” Chris says. “We intend and hope that this will take place over the next few months and we’re currently looking to agree to this. However, if we don’t get to this point, then eviction warnings can be raised again - we then need to prepare ourselves and solicitors for whatever happens next.”
“We are hopeful that the campaign has showed the strength of feeling in the community about the value of the activities taking place at the club.”
Listening to the community
While this turmoil continues to swirl, activities are continuing as normal - backgammon, pilates, midweek gardening, yoga and more are all taking place this week.
“We’re always listening to what our membership wants,” says Chris. “General Manager Martin is amazing at curating a diverse offering and we have an amazing team who run the bars and help organise events.”
While Manchester’s city centre has changed beyond all recognition in recent years, other areas like Whalley Range have maintained their socio-economic mix. Chris believes this is reflected in the Carlton Club - and part of what makes it so special.
“There are a lot of bedsits and flats here as well as the big Victorian houses, I live in a 1950s semi,” says Chris. “So there’s mixed housing which has created a mixed community. But that cross-section is represented at the club - it brings all the more richness to the community and is why I love living here.”
Sign the Petition | Support the GoFundMe
For more on club and rave culture, you can order a copy of my book, ‘Out of Space: How UK Cities Shaped Rave Culture’ via the Velocity Press website now.