Huge campaign saves iconic Salford Lads Club from closure
The Smiths singer Morrissey and Graham Nash from The Hollies were among those who backed the campaign
Last updated 28th Nov 2024
A huge campaign has helped save Greater Manchester's iconic Salford Lads Club from closure.
In October, the charity, which provides opportunities for children in deprived areas, warned it could close forever, unless £250,000 was raised by the end of November.
Thanks to a £30,000 donation from gas firm Cadent, the club has now surpassed the quarter-of-a-million pound target.
The campaign was backed by huge stars, including Morrissey, the former singer in The Smiths, and Graham Nash, from The Hollies and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.
Built in 1904 and designed by architect Henry Lloyd, the club has a number of famous former members including two co-founding members of The Hollies, Allan Clarke and Graham Nash.
Salford Lads Club gained international recognition in 1986 when The Smiths posed in front of the building for in iconic photograph by Stephen Wright that featured on ‘The Queen Is Dead’ album sleeve.
The Smiths’ music videos for ‘There Is A Light That Never Goes Out’ and ‘Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before’ were also filmed outside the venue.
In a post on Instgram, Salford Lads Club said: "A heartfelt thank you to every individual, business, and partner who stepped up to help us keep the lights on.
"This is your victory as much as ours.
"Together, we’ve shown what’s possible when a community rallies together."