WHEN this photograph was taken in 1954 the building would often host the great and the good of Accrington.

Built in 1885 at a cost of £9,000, the Liberal Club originally had three billiard rooms featuring eight tables, a reading room and attached library of over 1300 volumes and a main assembly room with a seating capacity of 500. At the turn of the century it had a membership of over 800.

The building would also host the Arts Club and stage many plays and recitals but it was in1982 following a million pound refurbishment that it gained a special place in many Accringtonians’ hearts - as Lar-de-dars nightclub which lasted until 1999.