Community saves Wigan's last Royal British Legion club from closure

There were concerns the club in Aspull would have to shut for good, as another national lockdown and ongoing restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic hit its finances.

Bosses did not know how the venue would survive, as even when allowed to trade they had fewer customers to allow for social distancing and functions, such as birthday parties and christenings, were being cancelled due to limits on the numbers who could attend.

But they can now breathe a sigh of relief, as just weeks after appealing for help, an online fund-raising campaign has smashed its £5,000 target.

It means the club will have money to pay its bills while it remains closed to customers.

Chairman John Hilton said: “Like everybody else we are stuck in the pandemic, but the giving page will be a life-saver for us and we will be able to stay open. It will pay for our outstanding bills.

“We are renovating the club as well with money we already had and hopefully when the pandemic is over, the club will be fully furnished and ready for our customers to come in.”

Members of the club past and present, as well as people living in the area, rallied around to give their support when they heard it was in dire straits.

Money was raised through donations to an online appeal, sometimes worth several hundred pounds, while there were also activities such as selling numbers in a bonus ball competition.

The club currently remains closed and as it does not serve food, it will only be able to open its doors when Wigan is placed in tier one under the coronavirus restrictions.

But preparations are being made for when that happens, with renovation work being carried out to improve the club, including the replacement of expensive cooling systems with more efficient versions and improvements in the bathrooms

Club steward David McMahon said: “Once we get open, there are so many people that want to come. Through Covid, their loved ones have died and they still have their ashes, so they want to hold wakes.

“Once we open we will be really busy. Everybody is looking forward to coming back in. Plus we have more people on board with the committee who want to get involved with the club.

“Everything is looking rosy.”

It is also hoped a day of celebrations can be held next year to mark the centenary of the Royal British Legion.

Mr Hilton said: “Because of the lockdown we missed our brass band concert that we normally have just prior to Remembrance Sunday.

“It’s 100 years for the Royal British Legion nationally and internationally in May next year. We are hoping to have a full day’s celebrations, having children coming in and a bouncy castle outside and all the rest of it in the afternoon, and our big concert at night. It’s in the early stages.”

While the future does indeed look brighter, the team realise they cannot rest on their laurels and are urging people to use the club when it opens.

Mr Hilton said: “We would like people to use it on a regular basis so it will survive. With the pandemic, we have lost about 15 functions - weddings celebrations, anniversaries, birthdays and unfortunately funerals as well. We are just about hanging in though.”

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