Village social club listed as community asset

Elmete Social Club is recognised for its role serving the community for 80 years

A village social club has successfully been registered as a community asset after serving residents for more than 80 years.

North Yorkshire Council has accepted the request to add Elmete Social Club, in Sherburn in Elmet, to its list of Assets of Community Value.

The club, which was nominated by Sherburn-in-Elmet Town Council, was first registered in 1940 and currently has almost 500 members.

According to the application it provides "informal social opportunities and community-focused activities", both of which contributed to the "social wellbeing of local residents".

The Town Council's application said the club hosted the Sherburn Gala Association, which has run the town's annual celebration for almost 50 years.

It also highlighted the use of the facility for indoor markets, live music, bingo and private functions.

It added the club was a "uniquely located and versatile space" in the village and its continued use had "strong potential to further the social wellbeing of residents".

Recommending the venue be added to the community asset register, a report by council officers concluded the club was "a long-established society with a strong membership base, is not for sale, and continues to operate actively with no signs of closure".

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the protected status means the community could be involved should the venue ever be sold off and would be given the first chance to make an offer.

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