Royal British Legion Club.

markpa12003

Well-Known Forumite
Lack of custom. I used to be a regular visitor to the rbl and I'm sad to see it close but I'm not surprised. I'm afraid it's failed to keep up with the times and is not somewhere that the current members of the armed forces want to go to.
 

BobClay

Well-Known Forumite
My Dad was a regular member of the Labour Club, and of course the Legion being ex World War Two Infantry (Egypt, Sicily, Italy.) I'm glad he's not here to see their demise, it would have broken his heart.
 

Lancer165

Well-Known Forumite
A lot of the blame can be put on Stafford Council, as the RBL is a not for profit organisation, the amount of rent and rates SBC charge them resulted in the price of their beer going up, subsequently losing members. When I left the regulars back in 2010 I joined the Stafford Branch, you had to pay two fees, one for the RBL membership and another for the club membership, unfortunately I left two years after, but always popped in on Remembrance Sunday. Sad to see the old place go.
 

proactive

Enjoying a drop of red.
A lot of the blame can be put on Stafford Council, as the RBL is a not for profit organisation, the amount of rent and rates SBC charge them resulted in the price of their beer going up, subsequently losing members. When I left the regulars back in 2010 I joined the Stafford Branch, you had to pay two fees, one for the RBL membership and another for the club membership, unfortunately I left two years after, but always popped in on Remembrance Sunday. Sad to see the old place go.
SBC only charge what central government tell them.
 

Trumpet

Well-Known Forumite
We had a loosely formed bike club, used to meet there weekly for about a year or so. Mondays if I remember right.
 

Lancer165

Well-Known Forumite
SBC only charge what central government tell them.

If thats the case why are there so many closed shops in the town, not every town is like that. The RBL also have a residence above which is included in their charges. How else could they afford to build that shit building they now reside in.
 

proactive

Enjoying a drop of red.
If thats the case why are there so many closed shops in the town, not every town is like that. The RBL also have a residence above which is included in their charges. How else could they afford to build that shit building they now reside in.
I'm sorry but this is somewhat confusing and I fail to understand the point you are attempting to make.

Also there is a significant difference between Borough and County councils.

As for the RBL, maybe if more people had used it and it was more relevant to a younger generation of armed forces patrons, it would not be closing?
 

basil

don't mention the blinds
The toilets needed sorting out too, my parents were regular weekly weekend visitors in there but, it was going down hill for a while, some weeks they were the only two in there.

So did they always visit the toilet together ?.....
 

Gareth

Well-Known Forumite
If fact if this is a charity organisation do they even pay business rates?

The newsletter has got a article that states the branch is not closing and the building would still be used. Though the trustees could decide to sell the premises at a later date.
 

markpa12003

Well-Known Forumite
I'm in favour of any developments that brings vacant buildings back into use and increases more people in the town centre.

It would be fantastic if this building continues to be owned by the rbl and is used to house veterans that are currently homeless.
 
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