‘There was nothing quite like turning up on a Friday to see everyone chatting across the room to their neighbours’
One of Stretford’s most popular neighbourhood bars has announced its closure, describing the running of a small business as a ‘David and Goliath grudge match’.
Sip Club, which won a CityLife Award for best bar in 2014, is an unassuming little spot situated above an estate agents on Barton Road.
Throughout lockdown, staff have been delivering care packages of cocktail kits around Stretford as well as meals to the Covid ward at Trafford General Hospital.
The bar has now announced that it won’t be reopening, after facing an increase in rent and a long lease term in an uncertain financial climate.
A heartfelt open letter posted to social media last night describes the struggles against developers in the last six years, but also pays thanks to its many customers, its team, and the Stretford community.
The letter reads: “Unfortunately Sip Club will not be reopening.
“Our tenancy ran out during lockdown and in order to renew and reopen our landlord has insisted on a rent increase and a long lease.
“There have been a few other major blows over the last couple of weeks and all things combined it seems like the right time to hang up my Stretford heels for a bit.
“The last six years have had a tendency to feel like a daily David and Goliath grudge match; fighting off big developers, trying to protect small businesses, trying to build dreams in new spaces.
“When it’s worked it’s been mindblowing but mostly it’s just been a daily grind of picking myself up and brushing myself off again. It can be hard to remember that Goliath doesn’t always win.
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“Thanks to all the drinkers and dreamers, the tell-me-about-your-day-ers, the musicians, painters, crafters, cooks, poets and readers, the language speakers, the DJs and all the thousands of pups.
“I’m so proud of our Stretford community. There was nothing quite like turning up on a Friday to see everyone chatting across the room to their neighbours.
“And the hugest shout out for my fantastic teams across the years. I wasn’t always the best boss but I loved seeing Sip through your eyes.
“I’ll be around for a bit and we’ve got a mountain of stock so do pop in for some wine/a chair/to say hello. Just message to check we’re open. There’s even talk of a party or two…
“Sip Club is more than just a couple of rooms above a shop. We will be back.”
The bar was first opened by landlady Heather Garlick in early 2014 and has become somewhat of a community hub for the suburb.
Within months of opening, as well as the CityLife Award, Sip Club had also cinched CAMRA’s Pub of the Season award.
John O’Donnell from CAMRA said at the time: “How the Sip Club has embedded itself into the local area in such as short period of time is remarkable and a testament to the vision and hard work of Heather and the band of family, friends and suppliers who have embraced what she set out to do.
“The award recognises not just the Sip Club’s commitment to serving top quality local ales in the heart of Stretford but all that it brings to and does for the local area.”