A CLUB that has been synonymous with the history of the Harlow may well have closed its doors for the last time.

Staff and members of the Maypole Club in London Road, Harlow were informed yesterday (Tuesday) by Pearson and Synthomer (formerly Yule and Catto) that the club would be shutting.

The letter read: “Some of you will be aware that the company has had a long association with the Maypole Sports & Social Club. This club used to be provided for the benefit of staff from Pearson and from Yule Catto (now Synthomer), another local employer.

“Staff membership of the club has dwindled over the years and it is now down to just over 20. We believe that the majority of Maypole members are now associates rather than employees of Pearson and Synthomer. The company hasn’t used the facilities of the club for a number of years and we haven’t had any active involvement in the running of the club for a similar period.

Therefore, we and Synthomer have decided to surrender the lease of the club back to the site landlord. The land will then become part of the major enterprise zone that is being developed in Harlow. This new development is anticipated to bring thousands of new jobs into Harlow. As a consequence of this, the Maypole Club will close.

I am sure that some of you will be disappointed with this decision but I would like to stress our ongoing commitment to the community in Harlow and to Edinburgh Gate as a major Pearson site in the UK. We hope this decision will support the area to continue to thrive.

YH will be gauging reaction over the next few days.