The Constitutional Club in Bury St Edmunds closes after 138 years due to rising costs. Locals say goodbye to their beloved venue.
The club had to close due to rising costs. Regulars visited one last time yesterday. Ursula Banks had been coming for nine years. She lived upstairs and worked at the bar, arranging events and creating wonderful memories.
Ursula said costs were tough and the closure made her feel very sad. The club was a big part of her life, and she made some lifelong friends there. She stated the town is losing something significant.
The club opened April 6, 1888. The Marquess of Bristol was there, along with Lord Francis Hervey and Lord Harris. The venue had a nice floral courtyard and hosted many events for its members.
They had cheese evenings and brewery trips. BBQs, Remembrance events, and karaoke nights occurred. Plus, there were pool competitions, snooker leagues and DJ nights. It was home to the Hoo Ha Record Club.
The club was home to a beer festival that offered over 30 ales and ciders. It even featured on Bury St Edmunds’ Ale Trail. Bruce Welch says he spent years at the bar.
Duncan Veal, an airman, had been a regular for three years. Bruce said the club had a great atmosphere, feeling like a friendly and close family. He stated that he was sad it had to close now.
Duncan said it had a great community feel and was a great place to make new friendships. “I will have memories here forever,” emphasized Duncan. Emma Warren is chairperson of the club.
Emma said the club was no longer making much money, and the cost-of-living crisis made things difficult. “I’m absolutely gutted,” Emma declared with genuine sadness. Many people made memories there.
The club had 319 members total and employed six staff members. One worked full-time and five worked part-time. The club hosted a pride festival last year, attracting over two hundred people.
They held monthly discos for adults with special needs. It was a venue for beer festivals and people held parties and wedding receptions there. Plus, local bands performed at various events.
Susan Robertson had been a member for ten years. She said everybody knew each other well and mentioned she felt very sad the club closed. Neil Rayson managed the club for eight years.
Neil said it felt very, very sad and he wondered where all the people would go. Friendships blossomed at the Constitutional Club. He said everyone had been really brilliant.
The closure was announced at a meeting. Emma thanked the members, staff, and committee members. She said the club would not have existed without them and that it was a real shame it ended.