News & Commentary
News & Commentary
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January 2025
January 2025
New national conference to rebuild Britain’s social clubs
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
On 11th September 2025, The Mildmay Club in London will host Stronger Local Places: Rebuilding the Social Club Movement, a one-day conference dedicated to reviving the legacy and relevance of social clubs in the UK. With a focus on community assets, civil society, and social infrastructure, this event will bring together community developers, policymakers, charities, and funders to explore how nonprofit members clubs can address today’s pressing social challenges.
The key themes of the conference include safeguarding the legacy and assets of social clubs, integrating them into modern community frameworks, and highlighting their potential to strengthen community cohesion and local democracy. Attendees will also collaborate developing a 21st-century club charter and discuss lobbying for social clubs to become essential components of new housing developments.
Social clubs have a unique history of empowering communities and fostering connection, yet many now face closure or underuse. This summit aims to revitalise these spaces as vibrant community hubs, so join us in shaping the future of social clubs!
Current sponsors

Also supported by
Kirsty McNeill, MP for Midlothian.
Social clubs are not just gathering spaces—they are critical lifelines for reducing loneliness and building meaningful connections within communities. To truly unlock their potential, we must prioritise them as part of our national social infrastructure.
Caitlin Prowle, Co-operative Party:
Social clubs are an important part of our communities' history and future. Owned and operated by their members, they are vital spaces that should be at the centre of community life, bringing people together and putting power in local people's hands. As the government works to empower communities through a new Community Right to Buy and further devolution, a conference to discuss the future of social clubs and their contribution couldn't be more timely.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsorship packages are available to support this event:
Tier One Sponsor (£5,000 + VAT)
Premier branding, speaking opportunity, and lead sponsor recognition.Tier Two Sponsor (£2,500 + VAT)
Branding, promotional recognition, and panel participation.
For sponsorship inquiries, contact Jonny Gordon-Farleigh at jonny@democraticbusiness.org.
Media Enquiries
If you're a journalist interested in covering this growing movement or would like to explore the stories behind our work, we welcome your questions and interview requests. Please reach out through our Contact section or via email.
On 11th September 2025, The Mildmay Club in London will host Stronger Local Places: Rebuilding the Social Club Movement, a one-day conference dedicated to reviving the legacy and relevance of social clubs in the UK. With a focus on community assets, civil society, and social infrastructure, this event will bring together community developers, policymakers, charities, and funders to explore how nonprofit members clubs can address today’s pressing social challenges.
The key themes of the conference include safeguarding the legacy and assets of social clubs, integrating them into modern community frameworks, and highlighting their potential to strengthen community cohesion and local democracy. Attendees will also collaborate developing a 21st-century club charter and discuss lobbying for social clubs to become essential components of new housing developments.
Social clubs have a unique history of empowering communities and fostering connection, yet many now face closure or underuse. This summit aims to revitalise these spaces as vibrant community hubs, so join us in shaping the future of social clubs!
Current sponsors

Also supported by
Kirsty McNeill, MP for Midlothian.
Social clubs are not just gathering spaces—they are critical lifelines for reducing loneliness and building meaningful connections within communities. To truly unlock their potential, we must prioritise them as part of our national social infrastructure.
Caitlin Prowle, Co-operative Party:
Social clubs are an important part of our communities' history and future. Owned and operated by their members, they are vital spaces that should be at the centre of community life, bringing people together and putting power in local people's hands. As the government works to empower communities through a new Community Right to Buy and further devolution, a conference to discuss the future of social clubs and their contribution couldn't be more timely.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsorship packages are available to support this event:
Tier One Sponsor (£5,000 + VAT)
Premier branding, speaking opportunity, and lead sponsor recognition.Tier Two Sponsor (£2,500 + VAT)
Branding, promotional recognition, and panel participation.
For sponsorship inquiries, contact Jonny Gordon-Farleigh at jonny@democraticbusiness.org.
Media Enquiries
If you're a journalist interested in covering this growing movement or would like to explore the stories behind our work, we welcome your questions and interview requests. Please reach out through our Contact section or via email.
On 11th September 2025, The Mildmay Club in London will host Stronger Local Places: Rebuilding the Social Club Movement, a one-day conference dedicated to reviving the legacy and relevance of social clubs in the UK. With a focus on community assets, civil society, and social infrastructure, this event will bring together community developers, policymakers, charities, and funders to explore how nonprofit members clubs can address today’s pressing social challenges.
The key themes of the conference include safeguarding the legacy and assets of social clubs, integrating them into modern community frameworks, and highlighting their potential to strengthen community cohesion and local democracy. Attendees will also collaborate developing a 21st-century club charter and discuss lobbying for social clubs to become essential components of new housing developments.
Social clubs have a unique history of empowering communities and fostering connection, yet many now face closure or underuse. This summit aims to revitalise these spaces as vibrant community hubs, so join us in shaping the future of social clubs!
Current sponsors

Also supported by
Kirsty McNeill, MP for Midlothian.
Social clubs are not just gathering spaces—they are critical lifelines for reducing loneliness and building meaningful connections within communities. To truly unlock their potential, we must prioritise them as part of our national social infrastructure.
Caitlin Prowle, Co-operative Party:
Social clubs are an important part of our communities' history and future. Owned and operated by their members, they are vital spaces that should be at the centre of community life, bringing people together and putting power in local people's hands. As the government works to empower communities through a new Community Right to Buy and further devolution, a conference to discuss the future of social clubs and their contribution couldn't be more timely.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsorship packages are available to support this event:
Tier One Sponsor (£5,000 + VAT)
Premier branding, speaking opportunity, and lead sponsor recognition.Tier Two Sponsor (£2,500 + VAT)
Branding, promotional recognition, and panel participation.
For sponsorship inquiries, contact Jonny Gordon-Farleigh at jonny@democraticbusiness.org.
Media Enquiries
If you're a journalist interested in covering this growing movement or would like to explore the stories behind our work, we welcome your questions and interview requests. Please reach out through our Contact section or via email.