I have been made aware by constituents that the Carlton Social and Bowling Club CIC’s use of Rowan Lodge has been threatened by an eviction notice for a repurposing of the building. I am deeply concerned to hear that this vital community activity hub is in jeopardy. 

When I first heard about this in August, I wrote to the building company, warning of the loss of the Carlton Club to the community and asking them to reconsider their decision. The letter can be found here.

The Carlton Club has been part of the foundation of the Whalley Range community for over 100 years and provides a powerful lifeline for grassroots music and arts through spotlighting hundreds of events each year. 

I raised this issue in the chamber and I am pleased that my fellow Manchester MP, Lucy Powell, agrees with me that the Carlton Club must be preserved. I hope that this can help the fight to keep the Carlton Club in operation and I will be following the outcome of their campaign closely. 

I hope that small, independent venues and social clubs are given the support they need to continue thriving to showcase the arts and community events, as I have seen how beneficial the Carlton Club has been for Whalley Range and across Manchester. 

You can watch my question in the chamber on X here, or on Facebook here.

Or read the transcript of the debate here.