Farewell to the Farmers’ Club - another iconic Hereford name is closing down

10:50am Thursday 20th September 2012 in County By Paul Broome

Hereford Farmers’ Club will shut next weekend Hereford Farmers’ Club will shut next weekend

AN historic club representing Hereford’s most famous trade has announced that it is the latest iconic name to leave the city centre.

Hereford Farmers’ Club, which will close next weekend, joins other institutions synonymous with the city that are – or are soon to be – no more.

Independent department store Chadds closed in 2008 while Rockfield began its closing down sale last week at a time when the site identified as the future for Hereford remains untouched.

Farmers’ Club chairman Ruth Deaville said the Widemarsh Street venue, which opened as a private members’ club in 1926, has seen a “dramatic drop” in the number of people using it.

“This is a very sad time for us and it was a painful decision to make,” she said.

The listed building dates back to the early 17th century and still maintains a

snooker room, skittle alley, function and meeting rooms.

It was once the gatehouse to the city complete with moat and drawbridge, and its distinctive exterior includes a pair of gargoyles and a host of flower-based symbols drawn on the second floor walls.

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Comments(11)

bobby47 says...
1:16pm Thu 20 Sep 12

Aint it ironic that The Farmers Club is a stones throw away from the Councils Sacred Cow, the Lift to Garrick House Car Park. The Council can throw money at a Lift but no help is given to this wonderful, great place that is rich in heritage, history and a part of our way of life in Hereford.
This is a truly sad day for our City.

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billyb83 says...
1:20pm Thu 20 Sep 12

i can see the tumble weed already, No wonder hereford is bad for drugs and theft etc nothing to do, No jobs no nothing but the chief oh council 36,000 a year pension why not invest money into something the city needs to help our own people, Wonder what money they got in the swiss banks!!!!!

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ArmadilloSackRace says...
2:05pm Thu 20 Sep 12

To be fair billyb83, how has the Farmers Club ever helped prevent people taking drugs and resorting to theft? The problem isn't really the lack of places to drink alcohol, it's the lack of other facilities where people can do activities that aren't just sitting in a pub nursing a pint. Obviously there is also the lack of jobs for people to earn the money to do these activities that needs addressing, but that goes hand inn hand with there being a reason for business to come here. Provide new further education centres, places for extra-curricular activities etc and there will be people in Hereford capable of working for decent companies who may want to move here. If we don't provide those things then the trend of people who want to make something of their lives moving away will continue.

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Lukio says...
3:19pm Thu 20 Sep 12

I wonder if the closing of the Cattle Market has played a part in the downturn in trade...

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TwoWheelsGood says...
8:22pm Thu 20 Sep 12

Lukio - you beat me to it - its had a huge impact I'm told. A farmers club with no farmers - I'm surprised its lasted this long.

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richybeaver says...
8:29am Fri 21 Sep 12

The farmers all used to go into the back bar at 'The Market Tavern' (Newmarket). They would happily drink more than they should, then wend their way home.

Maybe drink drive laws are the culprit?

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William Rudd says...
3:24pm Fri 21 Sep 12

Well we had a private party two weeks ago and the farmers club wanted stupid money to hire the room upstairs.We ended up across the road at JD's for nothing.

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bobby47 says...
9:03pm Fri 21 Sep 12

Right, firstly, richybeaver's comments that the old farmers drank copious amounts of booze and then irresponsibly drove home blind drunk. I cant let that slur pass without comment.
These lads were never irresponsible. They knew they were unable to stand up because of drink but they were never irresponsible about it. If anything, they drove very slowly back to their farms so that they didn't collide with anything or anybody. Thats being a responsible drunken driver.
Now you Rudd'y. Perhaps the Farmers Club reached a tipping point when you refused to hire the premises. You may be to blame for all of this.
I hope you can sleep at night William.
My warmest regards to you all.

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Lukio says...
9:39am Sat 22 Sep 12

Of course, that's why they are closing! It's because they were charging too much to hire their private room! How could I have been so oblivious? It's nothing to do with the closure of the market at all...after all who'd have heard of farmers using a Farmers Club. What a total jackass I am :)

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William Rudd says...
4:08pm Sat 22 Sep 12

You cannot run a pub just selling beer these days.The upstairs function room must of been a huge part of their income.

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Dave The Dumbest says...
8:42pm Mon 24 Sep 12

I have never been in the place after 52 years living in hereford, I will not miss the place but to see another empty building in Hereford is not good for anyone.

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