The Salford Lads Club...

With this website being dedicated to the Groves & Whitnall brand it only seems fitting to have a page dedicated to the Salford Lads Club, an outstanding building built by the Groves & still standing in Coronation Street Salford & is still run by a member of the Groves family to this day In 2008 while in Salford I took the time to visit the lads club but unfortunately it was closed, The Salford lads club was also made famous during 1987 as the backdrop by the Manchester based band the Smiths in their music video & album cover "Stop Me If You Heard This One Before".

The Groves brothers were two of 10 children of William Peer Grimble Groves who set up a vinegar works in Blantyre Street Manchester and in 1868 bought the Bathe and Newbolds Brewery on Regent Road Salford. By 1888 this was rebuilt and became Groves and Whitnall Brewery with the two brothers in partnership with Arthur William Whitnall, they became the founders of Salford Lads Club in 1903, the club was purpose built and designed by Architect Henry Lord.

The club was officially opened on January 30th 1904 Robert Baden-Powell, who in 1899 had written a book called 'Aids to Scouting' that, by 1903, was being used by youth leaders all over the country and a few years later, in 1907, lead to the foundation of the Scout Movement. The photo below shows the opening day with Baden Powell in the centre.

Above: The Smiths Outside The Club In 1987

The Groves family have continued their involvement with the club during the past 100 years and Major Jeremy Groves the great grandson of William Grimble Groves, who died in 2003, was president for more than 30 years. His son Anthony Groves took over the presidency in August 2003.

Above: Jeremy & Anthony Groves

Above: Me Outside Of The Salford Lads Club