Batley venue could be saved by listed status

Calendar has learned that the Government is to decide in the near future whether to safeguard one of the region's best-known entertainment venues by making it a listed building.

The Frontier Club in Batley opened in the 1960s as the Batley Variety Club. In its heyday, the club's founder James Corrigan lured the biggest names in show business - the likes of Louis Armstrong, Roy Orbison and Shirley Bassey - to what was then a mill town.

Now the current owners are reviewing its future after takings dipped, but campaigners want the building saved for its place in history. Jon Hill reports.

The former promotions officer of the Frontier Club in Batley says the historic venue should not be demolished.

The building could be saved if the Government make it a listed building.

Maureen Prest worked at the club when it was owned by James Corrigan and helped bring stars like Louis Armstrong and Dame Shirley Bassey to perform there.

Although the building could be saved, the club's current owners say that no final decision has been reached on whether it'll stay open.

The Bachelors singing group laid the foundation stone of the Batley Variety Club, when it opened in 1967.

The club attracted some of the biggest names in show business including Louis Armstrong, Dame Shirley Bassey and Dame Gracie Fields.

John Stokes, one of The Bachelors' original line-up, has fond memories of the club.

The former promotions officer of the Batley Variety Club, Maureen Prest has organised a campaign to have the club designated as a listed building. The petition has attracted more than 1,000 signatures.

It comes after the current owners of the club - now known as the Frontier Club - said they were considering all options about its future.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport says it expects to make a decision shortly about whether to give the club listed status, which would protect it from unauthorised demolition, alteration or extension.

The future of a West Yorkshire entertainments venue could be secured if the Government grants the building listed status.

The Frontier Club in Batley was opened in 1967 as the Batley Variety Club. Its then owner, the late James Corrigan attracted many of the biggest names in show business to the mill town, including Louis Armstrong, Dame Shirley Bassey and Dame Gracie Fields.

The current owners say they are reviewing the future of the club and although no final decisions have been made, they are considering all options - including closure. Campaigners have attracted more than 1,000 signatures to an online petition calling for the building to be saved.

Granting a building listed status protects it against unauthorised demolition, alteration or extension because of its special architectural features or historic interest.

Calendar has learned that the Government is to make a decision in the near future whether to safeguard one of the North's best-known entertainment venues by making it a listed building.