[Drinking] Save the Henfield Club!

[Cowfold Seagull]

Formed as long ago as 1920 and originally known as the Comrades of the Great War Club, the Henfield Club is now in grave danger of closing it's doors for the last time.

Until just a few years ago it was still a thriving social club, costing £20 to join, but offering absurdly cheap drinks, two or three real ales from local brewers on tap, and a fully stocked bar. They have a snooker room upstairs with two full sized tables, have teams entered in a darts league, have a weekly quiz, and a members draw too. The cheapest beer in Henfield and all in a great friendly club environment.

It would be such a shame to see this fine old isnstitution have to close down, so if you live in or around the area, then consider joining and giving it a try.

Are you hearing this NSC's resident Henfieldians? . . . you know who you are.

 

[amexer]

What is the problem. Is it just lack of members ?

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

What is the problem. Is it just lack of members ?

Yes exactly that, a gradual decline over the years, but particularly so since the pandemic hit. Sad, it was quite an institution in it's day.

Maybe these members only clubs are becoming a bit of an anachronysm now. A pity though, all that cheap drink and great facilities for just £20 measly pounds a year.

 

[portlock seagull]

Happening up and down the land, people don’t drink as much, socialise as much…Deliveroo in front of Netflix or gormlessly swiping left for hour after hour is preferred in many households sadly!

 

[Deleted member 2719]

I can't see why Clubs could not thrive against a pub, I assume there is no mortgage or lease involved?

 

[amexer]

Not far away so may consider for the snooker.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

I can't see why Clubs could not thrive against a pub, I assume there is no mortgage or lease involved?

Nope, they have been in the same building throughout their entire 102 year existence.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

Not far away so may consider for the snooker.

Good to hear, one of the tables is as old as the club, (102 years), the other just a mere youngster of 90!

 

[Deleted member 2719]

Nope, they have been in the same building throughout their entire 102 year existence.

Is it a case of all the old club users have passed on and the new lads and lasses need more stimulation than chatting with friends and are stuck on TikTok?


Surely this has to go full circle at some point!

 

[Super Steve Earle]

I ventured in there when I moved to Henfield about a decade ago. Unfortunately, I don't really drink and the members looked as old as the snooker tables.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

Is it a case of all the old club users have passed on and the new lads and lasses need more stimulation than chatting with friends and are stuck on TikTok?


Surely this has to go full circle at some point!

Yes all of that l think, it's akin to drinking in an old British Legion club really, indeed l think thats what many people think that it is, especially with the war memorial right outside, and the rememberance parade starting from there ever year.

Maybe nothing can be done to save it, and it will simply go the same way that many pubs are now, but someone needed to highlight the problems that they are having.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

I ventured in there when I moved to Henfield about a decade ago. Unfortunately, I don't really drink and the members looked as old as the snooker tables.

One may well have been me. Look up to your elders!

 

[Live by the sea]

Formed as long ago as 1920 and originally known as the Comrades of the Great War Club, the Henfield Club is now in grave danger of closing it's doors for the last time.

Until just a few years ago it was still a thriving social club, costing £20 to join, but offering absurdly cheap drinks, two or three real ales from local brewers on tap, and a fully stocked bar. They have a snooker room upstairs with two full sized tables, have teams entered in a darts league, have a weekly quiz, and a members draw too. The cheapest beer in Henfield and all in a great friendly club environment.

It would be such a shame to see this fine old isnstitution have to close down, so if you live in or around the area, then consider joining and giving it a try.

Are you hearing this NSC's resident Henfieldians? . . . you know who you are.

Living in the sticks has these types of drawbacks I guess . Not enough people to regularly use it .

 

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

These old establishments are great but as the old members pass on, how do you attract in a younger demographic?

Chances are the 'committee' are probably all rather senior and like what they have so are less likely to want to change but without change, how will they survive?

Always difficult to move forward without upsetting the existing membership - hope they find a solution.

 

[Super Steve Earle]

One may well have been me. Look up to your elders!

They were all bent over and smaller than me:

 

[dejavuatbtn]

Been in Henfield for 18 months and it’s a great place to live. However, it is noticeable how many pubs have either disappeared or had to rebrand themselves to try and get punters in. The George, opposite the Henfield club tried to become a sports bar but seems to have suffered from Covid and appears closed, and maybe the whole thing for the Henfield Club is the change to people’s routines following covid - either a reluctance to be in crowds in enclosed spaces or changing lifestyles. The High Street and monthly market have also been hit hard.
I suspect the Henfield Club is just supporting a few snooker players and isn’t seen to be offering anything to anyone else.
It is a shame but maybe the club needs to think out of the box to attract a different clientele if it’s to keep going.