The owner of the building occupied by Farsley Liberal Club – which has closed after 134 years – says he wants to keep the historic building ‘alive’ and has appealed for potential tenants or new owners to get in touch.
As first reported by WLD, the club, in Old Road, called time on August 29 and now sits empty.
G&H Group, which is a £35 million mechanical, electrical and public health business in South Parade, Pudsey, bought the building in April 2019.
Since taking over, it carried out a general refurbishment and is now looking for interested parties to give the building a new lease of life either by buying it or becoming a tenant.
Managing Director at G&H Group, Graham Kelly, has lived in Farsley all his life. He said: “We bought it three years ago to protect the future of the building and help Farsley Liberal Club to continue operating.
“Our approach has always been about ensuring this community facility remains while retaining a building of such historic and architectural importance to the town.
“Unfortunately, like many political social clubs across the country, it has not been able to make it work in recent times – but the building itself presents a fantastic opportunity.
“Aesthetically it has great presence on the high street and the building has a really good infrastructure. At the back there is a large and private southwest-facing garden, which is a fantastic space.
“It has huge potential and could be used in many different ways, from a bar or restaurant to shop premises or as a community based venue – the options are endless really.”
Farsley has been enjoying a renaissance in recent times, being named in The Sunday Times’ Best Places to Live guide as ‘an up-and-coming creative neighbourhood’.
The decision to close the club followed an extraordinary general meeting attended by club members on Tuesday, 19 July 2022. A statement today on social media said: “It is with sadness we have to announce that Farsley Liberal Club will cease trading. The last day of trading will be Monday, 29 August 2022.
“We would like to thank all members who have supported the club, especially during the past two difficult years.”
People reacted at the time with sadness to the news. One person on Facebook said: “So sad that such a lovely family club has to close. I am sure everyone appreciates all the hard work you have put in to try and make it work.”
Another added: “It is such a shame had some memorable times there over a lot of years -happy memories with lovely friends, thank you.”
