A historic club in Harrogate that has been closed for 17 months is preparing to open its doors for the first time since coronavirus hit.
St Robert’s Club, which opened on Robert Street in 1912, initially as The Catholic Club, will host music nights, quizzes and more from tomorrow.
The club committee had hoped to reopen earlier but decided it was not financially viable with coronavirus restrictions still in place.
Initially it will be open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. If there is enough demand it will open for more nights in the week.
It has been a difficult year-and-a-half for the club but treasurer Liz Alderson and chairman Mike Carpenter hope better times are on the way.
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Ms Anderson, who has a family connection with the club dating back to its inception as The Catholic Club, told the Stray Ferret:
“We couldn’t open before because we need total freedom to pack the place otherwise we would not make enough money.
“It has been sad to keep it closed for so long. I mean we are lucky, we own the building. So we could just mothball, that was the most sensible thing to do.”
Mr Carpenter added:
“About a year ago we did a poll of our 140 members because we were uncertain of the future of the world, let alone the club.
“The vast majority, I am talking about 90%, wanted us to reopen. It was reassuring to know that the membership are still interested.”
Membership costs £15 a year and entitles members to a discounted rate at the bar.
But the club also welcomes non-members and is encouraging new groups and those looking to hold events to get in touch.
