About Us
Owned by Arnside Sailing Club and ran by the volunteers, the club house has built a reputation as one of the best intimate music venues in the North West of England. Showcasing talent from the local music scene whilst also being an attractive stop off for larger acts with an international following from a range of genres. As well as a music venue the club house has become a real asset for the local population, regularly hosting talks, club nights and social gatherings for the local community.
A Brief History
ASC Clubhouse is located in the Old Customs House, one of the oldest buildings in Arnside. It was originally the Customs’ Bonded Warehouse with the Customs Officer House on the other side of the road. There are fantastic views across the estuary to the railway viaduct and Lakeland Fells from the building.
Historically the estuary acted as the port for Kendal. Ships from as far afield as the West Indies, Baltic and Mediterranean used to come up the estuary and unload on the beach at Sandside and Milnthorpe, though most trade was coastal . Coal, timber, iron, hemp and salt were brought in, whilst cloth, limestone and gunpowder were exported. `’Crossfields`’ built boats in the village including Arthur Ransome’s Swallow. The Victorians held regattas. Following the opening of the railway in 1857, Arnside developed as a select resort with visitors attracted by the natural beauty of the area.
The Old Customs House was acquired by Arnside Sailing Club in 1960 from James Crossfield and Sons Grocers, who had used it as a warehouse for their shop. The club initially used the building for social events and talks, which included topics such as “Navigation” and “Boat Paints”. “A Fitting Out Supper” was held at the start of the season and a “Laying up Supper” at the end, a tradition still held by the members some sixty years later. On Friday evenings the club house would open prior to sailing at the weekend for members to socialize and plan the following day’s outings.
Whilst the Sailing Club had always put on occasional musical events, it wasn’t until around 2011, when the potential of the Clubhouse as a music venue was recognised. With help and support from local musicians the concerts put on became increasingly popular. In 2021 the support of the club house as a music venue was further boosted when “Moochin About”, a local record label began hosted a number of highly successful concerts after the closing of their Jazz Cafe in the village and helped put the venue further on the map with acts such as the Bluetones, Ian Mcnabb and This is the Kit.
Today the venue goes from strength to strength with an ever growing national reputation, which has seen acts such as Chris Wood, Martin Carthy and Martin Simpson perform to our fabulous audiences over the last year alone, with even more great events on the horizon! Don’t forget to sign up to our email newsletter to stay informed.