Do you think your club is going in the right direction? Obviously I do and our financial performance and investments allow me the confidence to support my view.
The comparison of the last five years accounts shows growth at a level which completely reverses the market trend of comparable clubs and indeed a lot of Public Houses. Our bar takings have risen 50% and the commercial activity of the club is now at a level which provides us with much needed income streams to both meet our overheads and allow capital development of the club well into the future.
Members will be aware of the legacy we have started to receive from the estate of the Late Beryl Shaw. This wonderful gesture by a former member and regular supporter of our club will be used fully to support the agreed business plan of the club. Beryl was always talking to me about the club and the future and made a financial contribution to SPACSE as well. We will ensure we do not forget Beryl!
When we put together our business plan to Sport England we had to show major development in our membership figures in support of our application. We are due to update these figures next March and they will show an overall increase in membership of 30%. These figures are supported by the accounts of the club.
I have already shared with you elsewhere the crucial projects that lie ahead in terms of development and maintaining existing facilities, although I do intend to update you in this report on the most imminent capital project (upgrading the surface) our main access road.
We had intended to do this work last September/October and it was delayed and then subsequently stopped in November as we were advised of the Plans to develop the land by the garages in tandem with the Metrolink. We are now advised of a further change to the plans which allows us the confidence to proceed without wasting club funds! It is now our intention to complete this work by the end of March.
The major setback to the club in the last year was the loss of one of our volunteer workers Keith Mills. His support to me personally was massive and hopefully his memorial will be the ongoing improvement of the club he worked so tirelessly to support and develop! Many of us are trying to keep up with the volume of Keith’s work.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Anne Orrell, our outgoing President for her time in office as well as continuing her work on the Finance Team. She has set a great example to our next President who will of course continue his work as my engineering assistant. I would also highlight the work done by Steve Dixon on operating and managing the Bar. Thanks Steve, I know all you normally get are the complaints but not from me, brilliant.
Thank you also to the many members you give up their time to the club it will always be appreciated.
Brian Lorenzini
Chairman PCTBC
January 2012
