Social club set to finally allow women members after 100 years

A social club on Teesside is set to mark its centenary year by finally allowing women to become members.

Since it opened on May 2, 1925, the Saltburn (Lune Street) Social Club – colloquially known as Lune Street or The Luney – has never allowed female membership. Women have been allowed in the club, but actual membership has been a men-only preserve.

If the current board has its way, however, that’s about to change. But if it doesn’t, it could force the club’s closure as it struggles to attract enough revenue to stay afloat. Originally begun as a club for cyclists, in its 1960s heyday, when it had more than 1,000 members, it was often “standing room only”, especially at weekends.

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The club was still buzzing and vibrant at the turn of the millennium. However, it now has just over 350 members – and club secretary Gary Wilkinson feels the “men-only” members’ policy is anachronistic and restrictive.

He explained: “We’re a private members’ club that’s still working with our 1925 articles and constitution, written in the vernacular of the time. In those days, women didn’t go in pubs on their own so, because of the cultural context, it wasn’t an issue then, but it’s clearly an issue now.

“In the 1960s, as far as we can gather, women were still allowed in but at some point in the latter half of the 20th century, a custom and practice arose of it being ‘men-only’ and this has somehow informally turned into a kind of rule.

“However, we’re now at a position where, like many clubs, we’re struggling financially. The working-class men’s culture is dying, and has been for a long time, because of massive cultural changes.

“Other clubs have saved themselves by expanding and diversifying but we’re hamstrung by this men-only rule. It’s almost impossible in the 21st century to market a ‘men-only’ club and get people in there. Massive reputational damage has been done by it as the culture has changed.

“We’ve got to the point now where we’re in serious financial difficulties and if this isn’t corrected, we will close – that’s how serious it is and our members need to know that.”

Retired academic Gary says there are parallels to be drawn between Lune Street and another well-known, all-male club – The Garrick in London, which last year voted to allow female members for the first time since it opened in 1831.

He said: “The Garrick had a long public battle over this issue and the result was exactly what you’d expect in the 21st century – they voted to include women. The issues are the same – although we’re not as grand as The Garrick!”

After a vote last summer to allow women members narrowly failed to reach the required 75 per cent mark, the board is now confident a new vote – set to take place before Easter – will finally consign the men-only rule to history.

And if it does, it will go through just before the club’s 100 th birthday on May 2, with a steering committee set to organise a big celebration event.

In the meantime, the club is increasingly opening its doors to the community, with an open mic night, sponsored by Steven James’ Guitar & Amp Centre, planned on February 2 – all welcome, of course – and its darts, snooker and pool teams all thriving.

Chairman Phil Gallon, a retired firefighter, agrees change is long overdue and a ‘must for the club’s survival.

He said: “I was talking to one woman recently about coming to play in one of our teams and she said ‘what, where I have to be signed in by a man? No, thank you.’

“Over the years, it’s been a really good, supportive place for working-class men in the local area to come in, have a chinwag and a few beers, so it’s not all bad from the past. But we’ve got to move with the times. It’s time we changed and if we don’t, the place is going to shut.”

The club has a boardroom – “I think the Garrick’s will be a bit grander than ours,” smiles Gary – a games room, including a full-size snooker table and dart boards, and small and big lounges.

Upstairs toilets are now cubicles rather than mens’ urinals, while new events being planned include bingo and quiz nights. “We’re trying to retain the best of the old traditions but introduce new ones and bring our members with us,” said Gary.

Enjoying a game of snooker on the day Teesside Live visited were builder Anthony “AJ” Healey and labourer Billy Robinson.

AJ said: “Everything needs to adapt to be able to survive. By letting women in, it will mean more revenue and allow the club to do different things. I’m all for equal rights and this brings us up to date. Also, many pubs and other establishments have all gone to the wall and if we want this place to survive, we need to go with the flow.”

And while Billy, 30, was originally against the idea – “where you mix men and women in town, men can be idiots and there’s chew,” he says – he’s now in favour to safeguard the club’s future, adding: “If something isn’t broken, don’t fix it – but it obviously is.”

Secretary Gary added: “If the vote goes through, it will enable us to effectively rebrand the club and its reputation, increase footfall and return it to its original, much broader mission.

“We want to be a valuable asset for the whole community but it’s difficult for us to attract sympathy or sponsorship when you’re operating a discriminatory policy. We want to get it out there that this is a traditional club which is moving into the 21 st century as an inclusive club that welcomes everybody and we hope the residents of Saltburn and the surrounding area will give us a try.”

For more information, email Gary at lunestreesec@outlook.com

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