Save Our Club

For 111 years, Rowan Lodge has been the home of the Carlton Club providing a safe, welcoming environment for the local people of Whalley Range to gather, listen to music, dance, engage in social & well-being activities and foster life-long friendships.

Despite this, The Building Company that owns the building has served us an eviction notice, stating they want to run their own business from the premises. effective from September 2024 - To be assured it is business as usual, The Club remains open, our legal challenge is underway so we are protected for at least a 12 month period.

1. Please donate to our fundraiser here (DONATE using this link)

2. Sign our petition on change.org (DO NOT DONATE HERE)

3. Don't be a stranger, pop down for a drink and a dance... The show must go on!

Legal fees could reach up to £200k! Our target is to raise £50,000 to cover professional fees to fight the notice and delay or completely reconsider the proceedings. If we win, any remaining funds will be redirected to The Club to help with ongoing costs.

Donate towards our legal costs

Sign the appeal here (you do not need to 'chip in', that doesn't come to us)

Sign the petition

Our building, Rowan Lodge, has been owned by Carlton Social and Bowling Club Building Company Ltd since June 1913. For 111 years the Club and Building Company have co-existed, providing a popular and essential social club in Whalley Range.

Suddenly the Building Company have issued an eviction notice to Carlton Social and Bowling Club CIC, stating they wish to run their own business from the Premises. Members of the Carlton Club will know that the social club has gone from strength to strength since it became a Community Interest Company and as such we believe the proposed eviction from the premises shows a complete disregard for the club's importance to social, cultural and environmental wellbeing in Whalley Range and is legally contestable.

Our time to Act is now! The Board of the Carlton Club CIC are working to fight the eviction notice, IT’S BUSINESS AS USUAL, there are various workstreams, but one way you can help is to sign this petition and share it with anyone else who will be affected by this threat to the Carlton Club. Thank you for your help. Look out for other communications regarding the SAVE OUR CLUB CAMPAIGN.

The Club Board will fight the notice with our solicitors. We believe the proposed eviction is legally contestable with a complete disregard for the importance of a valued community asset of irreplaceable social value. The costs of which will be substantial. Our appeal is centred on 3 points:

1. RECONSIDER – halt any proceedings related to the eviction and engage in an open dialogue with club representatives to explore mutually beneficial solutions

2. PRESERVE OUR HERITAGE & NATURE - Recognise the historical, cultural and environmental significance of The Carlton Club and its vital role in creating an inclusive and sustainable green future for Whalley Range.

3. SUPPORT COMMUNITY INTERESTS – Act in the best interest of the community by allowing Carlton Social and Bowling Club CIC to continue operating from Rowan Lodge.

The Carlton Board

By signing up to be a member you agree to abide by the Carlton Club’s Code of Conduct

The Carlton Social and Bowling Club C.I.C. Code of Conduct Policy

1. All members must abide by the rules and policies of the club.

2. All members of Carlton Social and Bowling Club C.I.C. are entitled to freely enjoy their membership of the club.

3. All members must respect the rights of other members.

4. All members are equal and have one vote, irrespective of the length of time you have been a member.

5. All members are entitled to be treated with courtesy and respect at all times.

6. The Club needs open, friendly and welcoming members. Please be tolerant of the views and behaviour of other members. Please be aware of the impact your behaviour may have on another member and be prepared to moderate your behaviour if you are asked to do so.

7. All members are entitled to be free of harassment, bullying and abusive behaviour.Harassment is any course of conduct from someone who either knows or ought to know that it will cause harm or distress to the recipient.Bullying or abusive behaviour is any behaviour which is intended or is likely to cause a person to feel uncomfortable.

8. In any club issues and disputes between members do occasionally arise. These should be dealt with as informally as possible. If a member wishes to make a complaint, the person being complained about, and/ or any witness members, must act responsibly. Members must treat the process as confidential and do their best to minimise not exacerbate the problem. All complaints should be directed to the Chair or a member of the board to be dealt with. Once the dispute has been dealt with all members must accept the conclusion and move on.

9. All members should act in a positive and constructive manner towards the club. Fair and reasonable comment should be directed to the Chair or a member of the board.

10. Members must take reasonable care over health and safety of themselves and other members, particularly when running an event.

11. Members should help with running “our”club by clearing their rubbish, using ashtrays, returning empty glasses and recycling cans and bottles.

12. Members who appear not to be keeping to this code of conduct may be asked to be more careful about their behaviour and may in exceptional circumstances be asked to leave the club.

The Club’s full Memorandum and Articlesof Association can be downloaded from the Companies House website.

We are a 15 minute walk away from Firswood Metro station and can be located on the 86 bus route from the city centre (alight on Upper Chorlton Road, walk up Wood Rd, turn left).

We also have bike racks at the club which can be used by anyone visiting.

For membership, event & private hire enquiries please send over a detailed proposal including dates, time, requirements, previous event experience & as much information about the event you want to hold to: martincarltonclub@gmail.com

**please ensure you have sent all details as requested above to ensure we get back to you.

**please note, private party bookings are only accepted for club members.

113 Carlton Road
 Whalley Range 
Manchester
 M16 8BE

martincarltonclub@gmail.com