Heaton Chapel and District Liberal Club (The Reform Club) Heaton Moor Road

On January 8, 1887, members of the Heaton Chapel and District Liberal Club walked in procession from their old premises to a brand new purpose-built club. In addition to housing gentlemen of a Liberal persuasion the new building was to be the setting for many glittering social events held in the “Reform Hall,” the upper hall of what is now known as Heaton Chapel Reform Club, even though it is in Heaton Moor. The land purchase was not completed until July 1886, yet the building was occupied the following January. Following an architectural competition, the club was designed by Alfred Darbyshire, who was also responsible for Heaton Moor Congregational Church. All remaining liabilities were paid off in 1890 with a four-day Italian bazaar which raised £1,200. The rear portion of the building was added in 1906 with a grand bazaar the following year raising nearly £1,600.[Manchester Evening News 4 December 2002]

REFORM CLUB, HEATON CHAPEL - Twelve sets of designs have been received in a limited competition for a Reform Club at Heaton Chapel, near Manchester. The selected design is the work of Messrs. Darbyshire & Smith, architects, Manchester. The cost is estimated at £2,725. [Builder 20 February 1886 page 301]

HEATON CHAPEL - A Reform Club is completed, and will soon be opened at Heaton Chapel, near Stockport. The style adopted is Italian Renaissance, and the facing materials are stock bricks with stone dressings. On the ground floor are two billiard-rooms, reading room, committee-room, and refreshment bar; a kitchen and stores occupy the basement. On the first floor is an assembly-room seating 600 persons. An assembly or supper room adjoins the large room, and can either be used separately or in connection therewith. The interior wood work is principally of pitch-pine. The furnishing was let to Messrs. Turner and Co., of Manchester, at an estimate of £500 (including billiard tables). The contract for erection was undertaken by Messrs. R. Neill and Sons for £3,011, from competitive designs by Messrs. Darbyshire and Smith, of Manchester. Mr. B. Marsland, chairman of the building committee, acted as clerk of the works. [Building News 7 January 1887 page 35]

Reference        Manchester Evening News 4 December 2002
Reference        Builder 20 February 1886 page 301]
Reference        Building News 7 January 1887 page 35
Archive           University of Manchester Library – Alfred Darbyshire Photographs