Broadwater Working Men's Conservative Club
Founded in 1924, Broadwater Working Men's Conservative Club in Worthing, West Sussex has been integral to its local community for over 100 years and is positively thriving in 2025
Situated in Worthing, West Sussex, Broadwater Working Men's Conservative Club is a thriving club which is at the heart of the local community.
The club celebrated its centenary in August 2024, its members flocking to the club for a weekend of superb live entertainment, including an Elvis Presley tribute show, a family disco plus a live performance by top local vocalist Jason 'The Showman' Lee.
"We were very proud to mark such an auspicious club milestone last year and we are really pleased about how well the club is doing at the moment," says Club President Roy Poland.
"We've had a decent intake of new members, and sales are going up so it is looking good."
Many of these new members have been drawn in by Broadwater's welcoming atmosphere, quality drinks, and regular live entertainment with word-of-mouth helping to boost the club's profile in the seaside town.
The club, which became part of the CIU in 1937, continues to invest in its facilities as well as working hard to keep its bar prices down, while never compromising on quality.
"The club stocks a full range of lagers, guest ales, and cask beers, including popular choices like Harvey's and Abbot Ale and we have a number of cask ale drinkers amongst our members who love to come in and try new beers," says Roy.
Live entertainment is a major draw at Broadwater, with tribute acts proving especially popular.
"Tribute acts go down really well," says Roy.
"We've got a Robbie Williams act coming up, an Elton John one, and an Elvis act. They tend to sell out every time."
The club operates a 'free' ticket system for these events, ensuring members can secure their spots while allowing staff to plan accordingly and all the upcoming acts and other club events are featured on the club's website.
"The entertainment takes place in the Back Bar so we limit it to a maximum of around 110 people so you have a great atmosphere but it's still comfortable and not too packed," says Roy.
"We try and get a real mix of live acts so there's widespread appeal."
While Saturday nights are a big hit for entertainment, Sunday afternoons have also gained a strong following.
"We have a Rock 'n' Roll DJ who brings in a great crowd," says Roy.
"It's a nice mix of older and younger people."
The club also screens major sporting events, including the big boxing matches and Premier League football on Sky and TNT Sports.
"We do really well out of the sport and show pretty much all the Premier League matches throughout the season," says Roy.
"There are a number of screens around the club and because we've got the Main Bar and Back Bar, you can have music in one part of the club and sport being shown on the other side, so everyone is happy.
"We also have a projector screen for big events, like the World Cup and European Championships."
This month will see a special Cheltenham Gold Cup party taking place on the afternoon of Friday, March 14, a club tradition which stretches back over three decades.
"It's a members-only event and is really a way of thanking members for their continuing support of the club," says Roy.
"Everyone who comes along gets two free drinks to help them get into the 'Cheltenham spirit', plus free food, and then we enjoy the televised race coverage across the day, especially the Gold Cup which is obviously the highlight of the whole Cheltenham Festival.
"It's a bit of a loss leader, giving away free drinks," Roy admits, "but most people will stay and buy more, so it works out well."
Beyond the music and sports, the club stays true to its traditional roots by offering games like darts, snooker, and pool.
These sports ensure that the club remains busy throughout the week with various teams competing in local leagues.
"We've recently refurbished our snooker table and it gets a lot of use throughout the week to the extent that we've had to bring in a booking system for the busiest times of the week," says Roy.
"We also have two pool tables and three darts boards. Our sports facilities have helped to bring new members into the club with a new generation of players taking the place of the older ones – including myself – in our competitive teams!"
Membership at Broadwater is thriving, with more young people signing up.
Many of them are the children of existing members who have turned 18 and now want to be part of the club's welcoming community.
"We pride ourselves on being a family-friendly club," says Roy.
"A lot of parents bring their kids to events like the Easter Bonnet Parade, and when those children grow up, they join as members themselves.
"We have other events across the year, such as a children's pantomime in January and a Halloween party.
"In many ways, having that sort of ethos helps to future-proof the club as people grow up being part of the club.
"Quite often you'll have groups of young adults coming into the club for a few drinks before heading elsewhere – perhaps to a nightclub or late-night venue."
Broadwater is more than just a place to drink and socialise; it's a cornerstone of the community.
"Everybody's friendly and that makes such a first impression when someone walks through our doors," says Roy.
"We've had people visit from other clubs and pubs who liked it so much they decided to join almost immediately and are now regulars."
The club is very mindful of its importance to the community and has recently introduced a coffee morning for those older members who prefer a quieter social setting.
"Some people don't drink or don't want to visit in the evening but still want to socialise, so we thought a coffee morning would be a great idea," says Roy.
With renovations underway, including a refurbished kitchen to support private functions, Broadwater Club is continually improving.
Private events are a growing source of revenue, and the club is looking to attract more bookings.
"We tend to make more from private parties than from entertainment nights even though we only hire the room to members," says Roy.
"So having a proper kitchen set-up with all new equipment, fittings and flooring will be a big boost on that side of things."
Roy, who has been President of the club for 20 years, is delighted that so many members are willing to get involved as committee members.
"I couldn't really ask for more from the committee and the staff as everyone really pulls together to ensure that the club is in a great financial position," he says.
"We also get tremendous support from our members when it comes to putting on events and they are very generous when it comes to charity fundraising.
"This month we have a special Race Night for the Dreams Come True charity and we have also raised funds for the Kent, Sussex and Surrey Air Ambulance."
At its core, the Club is a family-friendly venue where everyone is welcome.
Whether you're a sports fan, a music lover, or someone looking for a friendly place to enjoy a pint, this club offers something for everyone.
"We like to think of ourselves as a club for everyone in the area," Roy concludes.
"It's a place where people can come together, have a great time, and feel like they belong."
With its unbeatable atmosphere, excellent drinks, and top-tier entertainment, the Broadwater Working Men's Conservative Club is undoubtedly one of Worthing's most important social hubs—and its future looks brighter than ever.
