What Support do Social Clubs need?
Results from a National Survey
January 2025
Over the last 18 months, the Centre for Democratic Business has been engaging a range of organisations and individuals who are concerned about, or part of, revitalising the future of Britain’s social clubs.
Over the last 18 months, the Centre for Democratic Business has been engaging a range of organisations and individuals who are concerned about, or part of, revitalising the future of Britain’s social clubs.
Over the last 18 months, the Centre for Democratic Business has been engaging a range of organisations and individuals who are concerned about, or part of, revitalising the future of Britain’s social clubs.
As they represent more than a century of community wealth, saving these local institutions and assets can protect and enhance our social infrastructure, revitalise our social fabric, and provide a long-term generative economic base in our communities.
As they represent more than a century of community wealth, saving these local institutions and assets can protect and enhance our social infrastructure, revitalise our social fabric, and provide a long-term generative economic base in our communities.
As they represent more than a century of community wealth, saving these local institutions and assets can protect and enhance our social infrastructure, revitalise our social fabric, and provide a long-term generative economic base in our communities.
While we know that social clubs – of all kinds – make a difference to the lives of communities all over Britain, many are struggling with financial issues, the lack of access to specialist advice, and recruiting new members.
While we know that social clubs – of all kinds – make a difference to the lives of communities all over Britain, many are struggling with financial issues, the lack of access to specialist advice, and recruiting new members.
While we know that social clubs – of all kinds – make a difference to the lives of communities all over Britain, many are struggling with financial issues, the lack of access to specialist advice, and recruiting new members.
As part of our efforts to create a national conversation about the future of social clubs, we are publishing results from a national survey to share more evidence about their current position and support requirements, and to attract more financial support and progressive policy from the government.
As part of our efforts to create a national conversation about the future of social clubs, we are publishing results from a national survey to share more evidence about their current position and support requirements, and to attract more financial support and progressive policy from the government.
As part of our efforts to create a national conversation about the future of social clubs, we are publishing results from a national survey to share more evidence about their current position and support requirements, and to attract more financial support and progressive policy from the government.
How would you describe your club's financial health?
How would you describe your club's financial health?
How would you describe your club's financial health?
Has your club borrowed any money?
Has your club borrowed any money?
Has your club borrowed any money?
How likely is it your club will need to start borrowing or raising more money over the next few years?
How likely is it your club will need to start borrowing or raising more money over the next few years?
How likely is it your club will need to start borrowing or raising more money over the next few years?
Would you benefit from fundraising support?
Would you benefit from fundraising support?
Would you benefit from fundraising support?
Would you benefit from support to diversify your income streams?
Would you benefit from support to diversify your income streams?
Would you benefit from support to diversify your income streams?
Do you find it difficult or easy to recruit for committee roles?
Do you find it difficult or easy to recruit for committee roles?
Do you find it difficult or easy to recruit for committee roles?
Would you benefit from training for your committee around its duties and responsibilities?
Would you benefit from training for your committee around its duties and responsibilities?
Would you benefit from training for your committee around its duties and responsibilities?
Has the number of members increased or decreased in the last five years?
Has the number of members increased or decreased in the last five years?
Has the number of members increased or decreased in the last five years?
These latest findings about Britain’s social clubs reflect a sector that needs support. But they also tell a story that can make us feel realistically optimistic about the revival of this national network of collective spaces. Though the previous few decades are a story of decline, there are new currents of social, political, and economic energy that could support a resurgence of the ‘club model’ in our social infrastructure.
These latest findings about Britain’s social clubs reflect a sector that needs support. But they also tell a story that can make us feel realistically optimistic about the revival of this national network of collective spaces. Though the previous few decades are a story of decline, there are new currents of social, political, and economic energy that could support a resurgence of the ‘club model’ in our social infrastructure.
These latest findings about Britain’s social clubs reflect a sector that needs support. But they also tell a story that can make us feel realistically optimistic about the revival of this national network of collective spaces. Though the previous few decades are a story of decline, there are new currents of social, political, and economic energy that could support a resurgence of the ‘club model’ in our social infrastructure.
It is probably unsurprising that 83% of clubs say their financial position is poor to fair, but this is in line with assumptions about the current challenges of operating a community asset, particularly during, and in the years following, the pandemic, as well as other pressures on costs from wages, rate changes, and licenses.
It is probably unsurprising that 83% of clubs say their financial position is poor to fair, but this is in line with assumptions about the current challenges of operating a community asset, particularly during, and in the years following, the pandemic, as well as other pressures on costs from wages, rate changes, and licenses.
It is probably unsurprising that 83% of clubs say their financial position is poor to fair, but this is in line with assumptions about the current challenges of operating a community asset, particularly during, and in the years following, the pandemic, as well as other pressures on costs from wages, rate changes, and licenses.
Though largely financially independent, one third of social clubs say they have borrowed money from a lender, with the survey indicating this will most likely double over the next few years. This is partly for repairing historical buildings, and partly to raise finance for capital projects, as clubs either modernise their facilities, or invest in developing new facilities such as housing.
Though largely financially independent, one third of social clubs say they have borrowed money from a lender, with the survey indicating this will most likely double over the next few years. This is partly for repairing historical buildings, and partly to raise finance for capital projects, as clubs either modernise their facilities, or invest in developing new facilities such as housing.
Though largely financially independent, one third of social clubs say they have borrowed money from a lender, with the survey indicating this will most likely double over the next few years. This is partly for repairing historical buildings, and partly to raise finance for capital projects, as clubs either modernise their facilities, or invest in developing new facilities such as housing.
Despite some clubs developing new sources of income, many are still using the sector’s traditional business model, which mainly relies on wet sales and gaming machines. However, 75% of respondents said they would like support to diversify their income streams.
Despite some clubs developing new sources of income, many are still using the sector’s traditional business model, which mainly relies on wet sales and gaming machines. However, 75% of respondents said they would like support to diversify their income streams.
Despite some clubs developing new sources of income, many are still using the sector’s traditional business model, which mainly relies on wet sales and gaming machines. However, 75% of respondents said they would like support to diversify their income streams.
For a movement with a long history, the majority of clubs are committed to making changes that will increase their viability over the next year. For instance, some clubs expect to recruit hundreds of new members, others are starting building projects to develop housing provision, while some are not expecting their historical membership figures to recover and plan to relocate to smaller premises. What is universal is that clubs are now even more aware of their role as a “lifeline organisation” for their communities, providing social connections for elderly members, developing new initiatives to become more welcoming to families, and expanding their membership to all demographics.
For a movement with a long history, the majority of clubs are committed to making changes that will increase their viability over the next year. For instance, some clubs expect to recruit hundreds of new members, others are starting building projects to develop housing provision, while some are not expecting their historical membership figures to recover and plan to relocate to smaller premises. What is universal is that clubs are now even more aware of their role as a “lifeline organisation” for their communities, providing social connections for elderly members, developing new initiatives to become more welcoming to families, and expanding their membership to all demographics.
For a movement with a long history, the majority of clubs are committed to making changes that will increase their viability over the next year. For instance, some clubs expect to recruit hundreds of new members, others are starting building projects to develop housing provision, while some are not expecting their historical membership figures to recover and plan to relocate to smaller premises. What is universal is that clubs are now even more aware of their role as a “lifeline organisation” for their communities, providing social connections for elderly members, developing new initiatives to become more welcoming to families, and expanding their membership to all demographics.
While clubs are still confident about continuing to be a presence in their communities, the findings clearly show that they need access to support with business planning, finance, and membership recruitment to ensure these spaces are revitalised before they close down. There seems to be significant interest in rescuing and revitalising clubs from across civil society, with newly elected Midlothian MP Kirsty McNeill calling for a ‘21st Century Clubs’ Charter’, a positive reference in the UK Co-operative Growth Strategy, and the Co-operative Party recognising that the closure of social clubs is affecting quite a few constituencies across the country.
While clubs are still confident about continuing to be a presence in their communities, the findings clearly show that they need access to support with business planning, finance, and membership recruitment to ensure these spaces are revitalised before they close down. There seems to be significant interest in rescuing and revitalising clubs from across civil society, with newly elected Midlothian MP Kirsty McNeill calling for a ‘21st Century Clubs’ Charter’, a positive reference in the UK Co-operative Growth Strategy, and the Co-operative Party recognising that the closure of social clubs is affecting quite a few constituencies across the country.
While clubs are still confident about continuing to be a presence in their communities, the findings clearly show that they need access to support with business planning, finance, and membership recruitment to ensure these spaces are revitalised before they close down. There seems to be significant interest in rescuing and revitalising clubs from across civil society, with newly elected Midlothian MP Kirsty McNeill calling for a ‘21st Century Clubs’ Charter’, a positive reference in the UK Co-operative Growth Strategy, and the Co-operative Party recognising that the closure of social clubs is affecting quite a few constituencies across the country.
Hopefully this new report will facilitate more support for Britain’s social clubs to reassert themselves at the heart of their communities.
Hopefully this new report will facilitate more support for Britain’s social clubs to reassert themselves at the heart of their communities.
Hopefully this new report will facilitate more support for Britain’s social clubs to reassert themselves at the heart of their communities.
The CfDB is a project of Stir to Action Ltd, a worker co-operative registered in England as a Company Limited by Guarantee. Company number 07951013
Our team is based in Dorset, London, and Manchester
Designed and built by Stir to Action Studio
You can subscribe to our newsletter here
The CfDB is a project of Stir to Action Ltd, a worker co-operative registered in England as a Company Limited by Guarantee. Company number 07951013
Our team is based in Dorset, London, and Manchester
Designed and built by Stir to Action Studio
You can subscribe to our newsletter here
The CfDB is a project of Stir to Action Ltd, a worker co-operative registered in England as a Company Limited by Guarantee. Company number 07951013
Our team is based in Dorset, London, and Manchester
Designed and built by Stir to Action Studio