YATE’S last factory club has closed its doors for the final time.
Jackson Social Club, which is on the site of the closure-threatened Beko tumble dryer factory in Station Road, held its last social event on August 26.
The club was officially started in 1976 in the factory canteen, as a meeting place and social hub for workers, although its roots go back further to the post-war years, when the canteens and clubs of Jackson, Newman’s and ARC were central to many factory workers’ social lives.
Jacksons later became a membership club and entertainment venue for current and ex-factory employees.
The decision to close is down to a lack of funds, with opening being made unviable when the factory operator started to charge for the electricity supply it previously paid for.
Club manager and former factory worker Tracy Ann Goodrich said: “It’s quite a sad thing.
“I’ve been there over 25 years, and the club chairman and secretary are still at the factory.
“It’s a great loss to the community.
“Covid didn’t help, but we got through it, until the factory started charging electricity.”
Members paid tribute on the Jackson Social Club Facebook page, with one saying: “I have fond memories as a child from the social club.
“I attended the children’s Christmas party. It was quite magical. It’s very sad that it is closing.”
Another told of meeting his wife at the club, while many reminisced about after-work drinks.
Building’s future is uncertain
The future of the building itself is uncertain, after current factory operator Beko Europe announced in July that it was consulting the remaining 150 staff over plans to close the factory.
The company said the factory was making significant losses and it was not “technically or economically feasible” to update it.
The Voice understands that operations could cease by December this year.
Both Beko Europe and South Gloucestershire Council, which owns the factory site after buying it for almost £10 million in 2021, have declined to comment over the future of the club building.
In its heyday the factory employed around 2,000 staff, as numbers of workers fell, the number of club members also dwindled.
The original club was set up as a canteen for the former Parnall aircraft factory, and was known as Parnall’s and latterly as the Creda Club after the factory owners of the time.
Earlier this year Yate Heritage Centre, which is run by the town council, staged a display on the history of the canteens and social clubs, including Newman’s Club, which had its own boxing ring, Parnall’s and Sodbury Quarry.
Local history: Memories of Yate’s factory canteens and social clubs
Top Picture: Club manager Tracy Ann Goodrich and colleagues Bobbie Stokes and Donna Kiff at the Jackson Social Club closing party.