Video: Shropshire social club closes doors for final time
A man who has been chairman of the Abbey Sports and Social Club for more than 30 years has locked up for the last time.
The thriving club in Buildwas, near Ironbridge, has closed as it is owned by the nearby power station – which is also due to cease operations at the end of this year.
Energy giant Eon's winding-up of Buildwas Power Station spelt the end for the club.
Paul Dodd said his last job was to shut up shop although he will help oversee an auction of the club's fixtures and fittings.
Mr Dodd, from Broseley, said: "The power station will be stopping functions at the end of the year and they give the club a lot of support.
"Because we are just a small club, we won't be able to self-support without the help of the station.
"It owns the building and also our golf course is on the site of the power station so we would lose our golf members.
Because our year runs from September to September, now seemed the right time to close."
The 62-year-old, a former employee of Buildwas Power Station who retired in 2013, said the loss of the club would be a real shame for the village – which is already under threat of losing its primary school.
"I've been chairman for over 30 years so it will leave a huge hole," he said.
"Once I left the power station, I decided to keep on running the club for the benefit of the members for as long as as it existed, obviously I knew that wouldn't be very long.
"We have a large membership, we have social members – plus power station employees, there are a lot of people. Also lots of local people – we will all miss it because there aren't a lot of public houses in the area. I don't think people really understand the full implications of what has happened."
A number of the regulars visited the club yesterday to raise one final toast before it closed for good.
Mr Dodd said: "We're having a little get together, some of the locals, to see the place off."
In a week's time, the club will be holding an auction of all its fixtures and fittings to raise money to pay off any final bills.
On October 9 they will host a valuation day, with the action held the following day, starting at 10am.
"There is an awful lot of stuff, a snooker table, a pool table, all the chairs, fixtures and fittings, the golfing equipment," he added.
"It all needs disposing of and it will help to cover the final month of the club, pay off staff etc."
