Eccles chess and community club could face closure if the organisers fail to find outside funding.
The club draws in crowds of up to 100 people and currently the only income for the club is a £2 entry fee to weekday club days and additional fees to enter tournaments. However, with rising bills and operating prices and a large prize pool for the winners of competitions, the financial situation is rocky for this important community hub.
Barbara Farrar, leader of Eccles chess club said: “The lease agreement for our high-street venue is up in January after three years of having it donated.”
“To carry on facilitating chess in Eccles we need some kind of funding from somewhere.
“I have asked Salford City council for £3000 to cover utility bills, that would be a great start to keeping us open.”
An important element of competitive chess is that the conditions you play in being quiet. Farrar insisted upon the importance of getting a soundproof shutter, another expense they can not afford.
She said: “It’s not just playing the games, people get to know each other, it gets lonely people out the house, you get to meet people from all walks of life.
“Chess is the same in all languages, so no matter where you come from, no matter your age, they can all play chess together and it ends up being a big family”
Countless community centres and third spaces have closed down in Salford since Covid and Eccles chess club would be a huge loss for the community.
Rita Kennedy, a volunteer at the Eccles chess club said: “Eccles needs this chess club, when I came here there used to be loads of pubs, restaurants, now there’s nothing.”
Eccles Community Chess club is open every Monday and Wednesday from 7pm until late at 21 Church Street M30 0DF.
The next classic chess event will be held on January 3 2027.
If you want to help Eccles chess club stay open, you can contact Barbara Farrar here: eccleschess@gmail.com
