Last drinks at 132yo Footscray Club as economic reality takes its toll

A sense of nostalgia and loss filled the air on Sunday afternoon as the Footscray Club, a Melbourne institution for 132 years, shut its doors for good.

The club, a cornerstone of the working-class community in Melbourne's inner-west, has been a gathering place for locals for generations. But despite its rich history, the club has fallen victim to the new economic reality, with rising costs and a shrinking member base making it unsustainable.

A changing community

Gary Tomlins, a 78-year-old regular at the club, has spent 45 years playing pool by the windows. On Sunday, he tried to squeeze in a few more games before the club closed.

"It's sad. It's 132 years of history," Tomlins said. "It's a wonder I haven't got tears running down my eyes. Maybe those will come later. I'm just hiding them at the moment."

Tomlins, who has been a fixture at the club for decades, said he doesn't know where he'll go now that the Footscray Club is closed.

A family-oriented club

Neil Lewis, the club's 73-year-old president, said the club had tried everything to stay afloat.

"We've been holding on to all this for as long as we can," Lewis said. "We've tried everything. We're not closing because of choice."

Lewis described the club as "a family sort of thing," where members could feel a sense of belonging and leave their valuables unattended.

"It's a family sort of thing," Lewis said. "There's not many pubs around where you can leave your wallet on the bar or table and walk away and come back and [it's still there]."

Rising costs and safety concerns

The club's struggles were exacerbated by rising costs, including a 23 per cent increase in the cost of beer since the COVID-19 pandemic. Committee member Steven Bartlett said the club had tried to keep prices low to attract members, but it had become unsustainable.

"We don't put the price of beers up or the price of drinks up because if we do that, we're going to lose those members," Lewis said. "It's an older clientele and they just haven't got the money to spend as they used to."

Safety concerns in the area also contributed to the club's decline, with some members staying away due to fears about crime and homelessness.

"People just won't come into Footscray because of that atmosphere that is around the place," Bartlett said. "They just don't feel safe."

A legacy lives on

As the club closed its doors for the last time, members gathered to say goodbye and share stories of the club's history.

Manager Roula Glavas said she would stay in touch with the members, who had become like family to her.

"I'll still keep in touch with all the boys. I'll definitely be calling one of them once a week and [plan to] catch up with them every now and then," Glavas said. "They're definitely part of my family."

Lewis, the club president, thanked members for being part of the club's history and expressed hope that they would stay in touch.

"Thank you for being part of the club's history," Lewis said to those in the room. "You made this as a community, you made it as a family. I hope to see you around."