Sadness as Dowty Sports & Social Club to close after 66 years
Summary
Dowty Sports & Social Club is set to close after 66 years at Down Hatherley, between Cheltenham and Gloucester. Its bosses say they have been left with no choice but to cease trading because of developer Ashville’s plans to build a new business park on 16.5 acres next to Staverton where the club has been based since 1960.
Details
The news is a bitter blow to the thousands of local people who have used the club for grassroots sport and leisure for decades. Although Ashville has said it intends to relocate the club and provide upgraded facilities, the club’s directors say they have not been able to begin negotiations over its future.
In an email to community groups, some of whom have used the site for decades, Dowty Sports and Social Ltd’s business manager, Rachel Moss , said: “It is with great sadness that on behalf of the directors of Dowty Sports & Social Ltd I must inform you that the business will formally cease trading on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
“As you may be aware, our current lease for the site that we have had the pleasure of being wardens of for over 25 years is due to end in December 2026. “To date, we have been unable to enter negotiations with the landlord regarding the possibility of a lease extension or their plans for the future of the site, which is subject to a planning application.
“We have therefore been left with no choice but to appoint the services of a firm of liquidators who are providing us with advice on the winding up of the business. Due to our responsibility to our members and creditors, the business needs to be liquidated in a solvent manner.” She added: “We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all of those who have supported the club throughout the years.
“We are aware that many of you have a long and rich history with the club and Dowty itself and we understand that this news will be upsetting for many. We are all extremely sad that we have had to take this decision.” The news comes after Churchdown Panthers Football Club said last month that Ashville had dug trenches in all but one of its 11 pitches, making them unusable.
Read more: Children devastated as developers send in diggers The digging was said to be to provide data for the developer as it seeks to get planning permission for the business park. The development would require the demolition of the Dowty Sports & Social site, along with its football pitches, two tennis courts, club house, five meeting rooms, judo club and 140-space car park.
Ashville’s first planning application states that it would build 18 business units on the Dowty site, relocate the Dowty clubhouse and “upgrade” existing sports facilities by including a gym, padel court and tennis courts for community use. In its second planning application, submitted after a torrent of objections, it says it would provide some replacement pitches on the adjoining field.
Report source: Punchline Gloucester