Chester Liberal Club
History
Chester Liberal Club is one of the oldest clubs in Chester. The first Clubrooms were opened in June 1883 in Foregate Street, with a formal opening ceremony performed by Herbert Gladstone, M.P. (the son of the famous Liberal Prime Minister) on 29th. December 1883.
A prominent Chester Liberal, Charles Brown of "Browns of Chester" purchased new premises for the Club at 30, Watergate Street, shortly before his death in 1911. During the 1914-1918 War, these premises were used as a recruiting office and afterwards became a Billiards Hall. The Chester Liberal Party offices remained next door at no. 28, even during the War.
Since 1911, Chester Liberal Club has been a Company Limited by Guarantee.
The whole of 18 Nicholas Street, formerly occupied by an eye surgeon, was bought for the joint use of the Club and Chester Liberal Party in about 1925. This splendid building dates from 1781, and has retained its original exterior, although being altered internally from time to time.
In 1990 a major reorganisation took place. The Liberal Club exchanged the upper floors of no. 18 for a long lease of the basement of 18 Nicholas Street, and the two basements were linked to form new Club premises. Having all the Club facilities on one floor has reduced overhead costs and the Club is now even more attractive.
There has always been a close partnership between the Chester Liberal Association (now Chester Liberal Democrats) and Chester Liberal Club, but they remain quite separate bodies.
