An iconic Salford youth club’s listed status has been upgraded to the second-highest category of II*.
Salford Lads and Girls Club, built in 1903 to designs by architect Henry Lord, has been recognised as one of the finest surviving examples of a purpose-built lads’ club in England.
It was opened in 1904 by brothers James and William Groves and has since run football teams, music and arts sessions and other activities for boys and girls from its Ordsall base.
The club became a worldwide tourist destination after it appeared on the inside sleeve of The Smiths’ third album, The Queen Is Dead.
Leslie Holmes, Salford Lads Club’s Culture and Heritage Projects Manager, created the Smiths room, a museum space dedicated to the band that has drawn fans of the band from around the world to the club on Coronation Street.
He said the decision to promote the club’s listed status means a long-term goal has been achieved.
“This is brilliant news!” He said. “It’s what I have been working towards since I first came into the building in 2002.
“The creation of the Smiths room and the archive room has enabled us to showcase the unique cultural importance of the building, and to attract thousands of visitors every year; I am immensely proud of what we have achieved.”
Lads’ clubs emerged during the late Victorian period to provide recreation, education and opportunities for working-class boys, helping to steer young people away from poverty, crime and social exclusion. By 1907 there were 23 lads’ clubs across Manchester and Salford alone. Today, very few survive nationally.
Historic England found Salford Lads Club to be one of the largest and most architecturally ambitious examples ever built, retaining an exceptional degree of survival both externally and internally.
Its upgrade comes at the same time Crossley House in Openshaw, Manchester (formerly the Crossley Lads’ Club) has been added to the National Heritage List for England at Grade II.
Emma Squire and Claudia Kenyatta, Co-CEO Historic England, said: “These two remarkable buildings tell the story of a movement that transformed opportunities for generations of young people.
“Built to provide recreation, education and support, lads’ clubs became integral to community life across industrial Britain.”
“Salford Lads and Girls Club is the finest surviving example of its type in the country and fully merits its Grade II* status.”
Laura Slingsby, Chief Executive of Salford Lads and Girls Club, said the organisation are “incredibly proud” that Salford Lads Club has been recognised as a building of more than special interest.
“This is a tribute not only to the building itself, but to the generations of members, volunteers and staff who have kept it at the heart of the community for more than 120 years.
“The club continues to provide opportunities for young people today, and this recognition helps secure its future for generations to come.”
The historic Ordsall youth club has played an important role in the lives of generations of young people and has strong associations with nationally significant sporting and musical figures, including Manchester United and England footballer Eddie Colman, champion boxers Jamie Moore and Marc Leach, and musicians Allan Clarke and Graham Nash.
In May it received £450,000 of funding from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Capital Fund to carry out essential repairs that will help “secure the long-term future of the much-loved community building.”
The cash was used to replace roof slates and carry out brick and terracotta masonry repairs on the Grade II-listed building.
David Britch, Architects Britch, said: “It has been my privilege over the last 25 years or so, to have worked on The Salford Lads Cub.
“A building of invaluable cultural, social and architectural significance, both locally and far beyond. Hopefully my work has contributed to the resilience from climate change and the incremental improvements will allow the club to continue to flourish into the future.”
Salford councillor Hannah Robinson-Smith, Lead Member for Culture, Heritage, Sports and Leisure, welcomed the decision, noting the significance of the institution to people in the city.
“I’m so pleased to see Salford Lads Club has now been designated as a Grade 2* listed building” she said.
“The building holds such a special place in many local resident’s hearts across Salford, it has played a huge role in so many people’s lives and the whole city is so proud of what the club stands for.”
