Club together to ensure light never goes out

Brewery leads community effort to secure future of Lads Club

- By NEAL KEELING

IT WAS the owners of one brewery whose money set up Salford Lads Club.

Now, 121 years later another Mancunian beer maker is playing a part to secure its long-term survival.

The founders stumped up £10,000 the equivalent of £1.5m today - for it to open in 1903. Brothers James and William Grimble Groves, who were partners in the Groves Whitnall Brewery in nearby Regent Road, set up the club more than 120 years ago.

The brewery was a major employer in the area, employing around 2,000 people. James, as well as being chairman and managing director of the brewery, also served as an MP for Salford South constituency. William was active in public service for much of his life, as a councillor in Salford from 1883 to 1895 and a Justice of the Peace there from 1892 to 1910.

Last year the Manchester Evening News backed a successful campaign to raise £250,000 for the club to avert its closure. But that cash has only given it some breathing space.

To ensure it carries on providing sport, summer camps, and being a vital resource to steer both lads and girls on the right path, the club needs to raise £1m via a Legacy Fund.

To that end, brewery Joseph Holt has stepped up to the plate. It is coming to the aid of the club by launching a fundraiser across 40 of its pubs in Salford, Manchester, Bury, and Trafford.

The 175-year-old brewery is based in Cheetham Hill, Manchester, and owns 126 pubs. These include the Ape and Apple and the Crown and Anchor in Manchester, and The Winston and The Union Tavern in Salford.

Mark Norbury, director of pubs for the brewery, said: "At Joseph Holt we very much focus on being a resource for the community in terms of the activities or events we hold, as well as providing a warm and welcoming space.