'We are apolitical' Sheffield club manager says after facing backlash for hiring out space to Restore Britain
“Crookes Club provide a safe, friendly and welcoming environment for all sections of the community”
A Sheffield club has been caught in the middle of a row after they hired out a room to political party Restore Britain - with some saying they are now going to boycott the establishment.
Representatives from SCARF (Sheffield Communities Against Racism and Fascism), Stand Up To Racism and Walkley Antifascists quickly assembled a protest group at Crookes Social Club on Wednesday evening (August 12) after it was announced the controversial party was hosting a meeting.
In the following days, the club has continued to face pressure online for their role in hosting a party that has been labelled racist and homophobic.
However, management have argued that it is not their place to choose who can and cannot hire their rooms, as they have hosted a number of political events for various parties in the past.
Maurice Champeau, Crookes Social Club general manager, said in a statement on Facebook: “The management of Crookes Social Club feel strongly that it is not our position to dictate who can and cannot hold meetings at the club. We are an apolitical organisation and welcome people from all sections of the community and feel strongly that peoples right to free speech should always be upheld.
“Following the meeting the bar team Crookes have received a vast number of direct and sometimes abusive complaints and at this point I wish to make it clear that this decision to allow this meeting rests with me and me alone. On this occasion my team had no input into the organisation of the meeting.
“Crookes Club provide a safe, friendly and welcoming environment for all sections of the community to use the club for social, leisure, business or political purposes. We actively encourage all local people and organisations to use the facilities at Crookes.”
Restore Britain was founded by former Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe, after he was suspended from the Nigel Farage-led party in 2025.
The party has said they would “strengthen the teaching of our Christian heritage,” while banning the burqa, halal and kosher in a bid to tackle “woke ideology.”
Critics have labelled the group far right, with SCARF now calling on people to avoid Crookes Social Club for “providing space for fascist organising”.
However, Maurice has said he’s willing to meet with anyone who has raised issues as he calls for the club to remain a safe and welcoming environment for all.
“Since [Wednesday’s] meeting we have received a number of complaints and we fully accept the vast majority of the comments made, however we have received several messages applauding our decision to support free speech even though we may or may not agree with the message being delivered,” he added.
“It is worth noting that we have previously received serious pressure from external groups regarding the hosting of fundraisers for Palestinian causes and even collections for Ukrainian refugees but have chosen to go ahead with events in the interest of free speech.
“I would like to assure all customers, visitors and members that we will continue to provide a safe welcoming venue for you, your family and your events in the future. I also offer my assurance that any and for all future bookings will firstly consider the views and beliefs of my customers.”