Home / Arts and Entertainment / Salford Lads Club Gets Historic Upgrade
Salford Lads Club Gets Historic Upgrade
25 Jun
Summary
- Salford Lads Club's listing upgraded to Grade II*.
- Building featured on The Smiths' iconic album cover.
- Crossley House, a similar club building, also listed.
A historic youth club building in Salford, renowned for its appearance on The Smiths' album sleeve, has achieved a significant heritage upgrade. The Salford Lads Club, originally built in 1903, has been elevated from Grade II to Grade II* listed status. This designation acknowledges its importance as a rare surviving example of a purpose-built lads' club. The club recently celebrated being saved from closure after a successful £250,000 fundraising effort.
In parallel, Crossley House in Manchester, formerly the Crossley Lads' Club built in 1912, has been added to the National Heritage List for England at Grade II. Historic England emphasized that these two buildings represent a movement that provided crucial opportunities for many young people.
The Salford club, designed by architect Henry Lord, is noted for its ambitious architecture and exceptional preservation. Its cultural impact is amplified by its feature on The Smiths' "The Queen Is Dead" album in 1986. Crossley House, designed by John Broadbent, is distinguished by its Edwardian Baroque facade and innovative reinforced-concrete construction, retaining many original features.
