Former patrons welcome club's potential reuse

A mid-close up image of Nora Whitfield and Ronnie Bates. Nora has short black hair and brown eyes and is wearing silver hoop earrings and a black cardigan over a green top with black-and-white leaf patterns. Ronnie is bald with brown eyes wearing black glasses and smiling. He's wearing a blue zip-up fleece over a lighter blue shirt. Behind them, the interior of a working men's club is visible - a red patterned carpet, red chairs stacked atop each other, a cream wall adorned with photographs and a red clock. To the right is a red door underneath a fire exit sign.

Nora Whitfield and Ronnie Bates used to be regulars at the club

Jason Arunn Murugesu
North East and Cumbria

Former regulars at a social club which shut over the summer after being open for 122 years said they were pleased it may not be empty for too long.

Ryhope Working Men's Club, known locally as Ryhope Top Club, opened in the Sunderland village in 1903 and shut in June following dwindling customer numbers.

Last week plans were submitted to Sunderland City Council to turn the site into five apartments and four shops.

Ronnie Bates said he was glad the site would not stand vacant for years and become a "target for vandals".

He also said he hoped that if the plans were approved, the site's former history could be commemorated in some way.

"It would be nice if there was a plaque," Mr Bates said.

He said since the club's closure said he had had to drive to the Derwenthurst Club to socialise and was drinking less alcohol.

The interior of a working men's club. To the left of the image, a large red-and-blue mining banner which reads: "RYHOPE MINERS' LODGE DURHAM AREA N.U.M. PIONEERS OF THE MOVEMENT HAVEN OF REST", is attached to a wall. In the centre of the banner is an illustration of a row of terraced houses. To the right of the wall and banner is a stage lined with silver-coloured streamers.

Ronnie Bates said he was pleased the site may not stand empty for too long

"I'm not missing out with me meeting the people I used to sit with so the companionship is still there," Mr Bates said.

"But I'm not drinking so I'm saving money."

Sunderland City Council has set a deadline of 1 December to decide on the planning application for the site.

A mid-terrace building with grey exterior walls. On the left of the building are blue double doors with glass windows. Above the doors is a sign which reads "RYHOPE WORKINGMENS CLUB AND INSTITUTE LTD" with two Heineken logos either side. In the middle and right of the exterior wall are two glass windows with white panels.

The club operated for 122 years until June 2025

Meanwhile, former club committee member Nora Whitfield said that "life has got to go on".

She said since the club was shut, she and her husband had been going to the Farmers Club in Ryhope.

"This other club was far busier than the Top Club had been in recent years," she said.

"The main difference between the two spots was that the Farmer's had a lot more young people attending who regularly played darts and pool."

Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.

Get in touch

Do you have a story suggestion for BBC Wear?

Contact form

Related topics

More on this topic