T&A June 15, 1988
HARD-UP Bradford punks, anarchists and ordinary young jobless proved that where there's a will there's a way by opening their own club tailored to their own needs.
The 1 in 12 Club has been running since the early 80s in various venues in the city including the Metropole Hotel, Queens Hall and the Royal Standard, but now a new chapter is beginning with the move into their own building.
The dream of their own club has become a reality for the rag-tag bunch after they tapped into local and national government grants to help with the freehold of their £95,000 city centre building.
A team of volunteers has spent two years working on the new club headquarters in Albion Street where they have converted the dilapidated sweat shop into a venue where they can play their own music at prices which fit their own pockets.
And now they have two bars and a hall for concerts completed and are still working on top-floor workrooms and offices.
The members of the club make no secret of their political views - they are of the Left and proud of it. And people wanting to join the organisation will have to prove they can abide by the 1 in 12 philosophy.
As one founder member put it: "This is to be a an alternative social scene for those of us with little or no money. It is free from sexist, racist, statist hassles and from bouncer intimidation and violence and dress regulation. Anyone who can't get on with that will be asked to leave."
The young people of the 1 in 12 know that Bradford, like any other city, has a drugs problem.
But even with their libertarian views one rule which must be totally inflexible is No Drugs - and organisers reckon that means anyone smoking cannabis or high on anything else will be shown the door.
Another rule is that the 1 in 12 is a members club so punters wanting to attend gigs will have to sort out the paperwork at least two days before the event.
An opening night gig on Friday includes a strong West Yorkshire line-up with The Three Johns, Brendon Croker and the Five O'Clock Shadows and Little Brother.