Barnbow Social Club prepares to mark 75 years at the heart of east Leeds
In 2026, Barnbow Social Club will celebrate an incredible milestone: 75 years of continuous service to the local community.
Originally opened in 1951, the club originally stored the paint used on the world-famous tanks. Soon it was used as a welfare and social facility for workers at the Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF) Leeds and their families, also known locally as Barnbow. At its peak, the factory employed thousands of people in the production of munitions and military vehicles, including the Challenger, Chieftain, and Centurion tanks. The club provided a place for workers to unwind after long shifts, socialise with colleagues, play sports (remember the sports field?) and enjoy entertainment right on their doorstep.
In the 1970s, it was extended to include the function room and kitchen. In 1984, it was further remodelled to the club you know and love today.
Today, long after the closure of ROF Leeds in 2004, the club stands as a living piece of local history. It is now believed to be the last surviving building from the original factory complex, a rare and significant link to Leeds’ industrial and wartime heritage.
Over the years, Barnbow Social Club has evolved to meet the changing needs of its community. From pensioners’ afternoons and quiz nights to live music, family fun days and private functions, it continues to serve as a welcoming space for connection, celebration, and remembrance.
Honouring the past, planning for the future
As the club looks ahead to its 75th anniversary in 2026, plans are underway for a full year of special events, commemorations and community-led celebrations. These will reflect both the history of the site and the people who made it what it was – from former factory workers and their families to the generations who have walked through the club’s doors since.
Club Steward Lynne Slinn said:
“This place was built to serve the workers who kept the factory, and the country, going. Seventy-five years on, we’re still here. That alone is something to be proud of, and we want to mark it properly.”
Local residents, history groups, former factory employees and their families will all be invited to take part in the celebrations. We’re also appealing for photos, stories and memorabilia that can be shared as part of a special anniversary archive and exhibition.
Get involved
If you or someone you know worked at the Barnbow factory or has a story to share, please get in touch — we’d love to hear from you.
More details about anniversary events will be published in the coming months. For updates, follow Barnbow Social Club on social media or visit barnbowsocialclub.com.