It is the end of an era for a historic working men’s club as it prepares for its final night before moving to a new venue.

The East End Working Men’s Club in Bank Top, Darlington, is closing before the building is demolished to make way for the redevelopment of the town’s train station.

The 108-year-old club, which has been at the heart of its community since 1914, will have its last night in Neasham Road before moving to a new venue in Parkgate.

Paul and Michelle Gill, who run the club, are taking over the Cricketers Hotel, which has been closed for a number of years, and have refurbished it ahead of its opening on Monday.

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Paul has been drinking at the club, which has about 500 members, for more than 30 years but took it over four years ago.

Michelle said: “It’s still a thriving club. It’s always bust and still one of the busiest clubs in Darlington.

“With going down to the Cricketers we don’t know how it’s going to work. Some people will come with us and some won’t because it is too far.

“We just hope our loyal members will follow us. If everyone who says they will follow us does then it will be great.”

The Northern Echo: The East End Working Men's Club is reopening at the old Cricketers Hotel in Parkgate The East End Working Men's Club is reopening at the old Cricketers Hotel in Parkgate

She added: “It’s been a rollercoaster for members. For some of them their mams and dads and nanas drank here. It goes back years and years. We have photos that go right back to 1914. It’s the end of an era and it’s so sad.

“We have members who are 90 and 91 who have been coming here since they were 18. People say they can’t talk about it because they’re going to cry.”

A special last night is planned on Sunday, when there will be a Neil Diamond tribute act playing.

“We wouldn’t usually have upstairs open on a Sunday but it’s our last night,” Michelle added. “We’ve said to people so come in and enjoy themselves. We’ve sold quite a lot of tickets already so it will be a busy night.”

After the move, they intend to keep their usual programme of bingo, games and music nights.

On Monday, the official opening will be at 5pm and there will be buffet and evening of fives and threes, with an extra £100 on the prize to celebrate the move.

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Financial struggles meant the club was on the brink of closure in 2018, when it was bought by Darlington Borough Council.

The building is about 100 metres from Bank Top railway station and is set to be demolished to make way for a major new development.

A number of other properties in the vicinity have been bought so they can de demolished for the development.

 

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