Hasland Club brings heritage back to the bar

Established in 1903, “Hasland Working Men’s Club and Institute” moved to its current location in 1907 and has seen many changes over its 121-year history. Becoming a Mutual in 2011, run by volunteer members for members, the Club has remained true to its mission to provide entertainment, education and support for the local community.

Despite difficult times for the hospitality industry since the Covid pandemic, Hasland Club staff and Management Committee have worked hard to build on the best of the Club’s tradition of good beer, free music, bingo and quizzes and now partners with Grassland Hasmoor Futures to create a community focused “Hub at the Club”, theatre events with Madame Renards, plus comedy nights with Laffa Cake Comedy Club.

“We try to keep evolving and changing to stay strong and vibrant” says Club President, Roy Ackrill. “First and foremost we are a place for local people to come and feel safe, relaxed and looked after. It’s great that we are seen as an attractive venue for live music, value for money drinks, with two pool and snooker tables; it’s just as important that our family focused events thrive. In the winter we are a warm space and all year round we are a welcoming space.”

Thursday 25th April will showcase how this hard work has turned into solid reinvestment with the reopening of the original lounge. The Club has taken out the 1970’s suspended ceiling to reveal the original 1907 pitched roof and redecorated in a sympathetic Victorian style with a modern twist, though the final design has been a closely guarded secret.

Vice-President Andy Mallender, who has overseen the refurbishment, said:

“We are delighted to be able to make these changes. In 2020 we took out the old carpet in the concert side to reveal a much larger sprung dance floor that we didn’t know we had. We hoped we’d find some hidden gems in this refurbishment and we haven’t been disappointed with the amazing pitched roof. Wherever we could, we used local businesses and we’re so grateful to This Girl Can Paint, ASM Ltd, YourFRAME, Craig Watson Joinery, CBE Flooring and Lee Major Lifes Good With Wood bespoke carpentry for bringing the lounge back to its former glory. And a big thank you to Molson Coors for their incredible support that has helped us achieve this vision.”

And what is next for this ambitious community organisation?

“We still have some way to go both in and outside this historic building. In the meantime, we’re looking forward to more of our incredibly successful Friday night big band nights such as Pink, Queen, KMK, Let there B DC, Complete Madness and Bruno Mars tributes to name a few, as well as our free Saturday night music, Sunday night quiz and Wednesday night Bingo” enthuses Andy.

“We will be expanding our Thursday evening events, building on our theatre, comedy and Tap Takeovers from the likes of Neepsend, Brampton Brewery and Welbeck Abbey. Our real ale offering goes from strength to strength working with Little Critters, Thornbridge, Silver Brewhouse, Dancing Duck and Abbeydale - local breweries please contact us, we are happy to highlight local ales. We are thrilled to announce that we have just been awarded CAMRA Club of the Year – the fourth year we’ve achieved this amazing accolade and of course, CAMRA members receive members prices on cask ales.”

As well as enjoying the new surroundings, members and guests will be treated to a free drink, a free raffle when the lounge reopens at 4p m on Thursday 25th April, with beer tasting from Woodforde’s, food and live music with “Donovylan” from 7.30pm. And with membership at just £5 a year, it could be a great opportunity to join the club!