Future of Sheffield's Full Monty club thrown into fresh doubt

There was hope Shiregreen Working Men’s Club, on Shiregreen Lane, could be saved from demolition to make way for a future housing development when a provisional eleventh-hour agreement was reached between Eyre Investments and St Vincents Amateur Boxing Club in July.

The concert room was set to be converted into a youth centre and boxing gym, with the lounge turned into a sports bar, but St Vincents have formally withdrawn from negotiations after failing to agree terms.

Lib Dem councillor for West Ecclesfield Mike Levery, who advised St Vincents, said: “Bearing in mind the current situation where they have had no income, they have to take a view of not just affordability but longevity.

"What you are getting in to is a long-term lease. The legal advice was not to progress.”

In April, council planning officers said prior approval to demolish the near-100-year-old club – which has been derelict since 2018 - is not needed, meaning it can be bulldozed at any time. Any future housing development would require planning permission.

Labour councillor for Shiregreen and Brightside Peter Price said: “I’m very disappointed, I thought we had a tremendous place for the community to utilise and this has come as a blow.

"I’m not giving up hope. I’m hoping sense will prevail and they will find a solution to it.”

Cllr Price said the club is “at the heart of Sheffield’s heritage” and attracted visitors from all over the world following the success of The Full Monty.

"They weren’t just drinking venues, they were a hub for the community,” he said on the decline of working men’s clubs.

He added: “I don’t know what else we can do other than see other people who might want to go in and make it a viable proposition.

"I’m keeping an open mind but it’s raised all my fears that we might lose it. I’m feeling quite stunned but we have got to keep pressing on to try and pull something out of the fire.”

The Star has contacted Eyre Investments for comment.