Lytham Yacht Club: Tradition and Camaraderie by the Sea

Tucked away on Dicconson Terrace, housed within The Assembly Rooms overlooking the Ribble Estuary, Lytham Yacht Club is not a sailing club in the traditional sense, but a private gentlemen’s club with deep roots in the town’s social life.

Far from requiring a boat or any knowledge of sailing, membership here is about camaraderie, conversation, and community. For decades, the Club has provided its members with a welcoming environment to relax, share stories, and enjoy the company of like-minded friends.

The atmosphere inside is steeped in tradition — a place where time slows down, and where rituals of good fellowship are as important as the surroundings. While the Club’s name hints at the sea, it is in fact more about heritage, dignity, and maintaining a social hub that reflects Lytham’s historic charm.

In an era when many social spaces have disappeared, Lytham Yacht Club stands as a reminder of the enduring value of local institutions, offering its members a private haven by the water, where tradition is not just remembered but lived.

Images by Henry Iddon.

A New Era for a Historic Landmark: The Opening of Lytham Assembly Rooms

On Sunday 19th May 1991, the historic Lytham Assembly Rooms on Dicconson Terrace were officially opened by the Mayor of Fylde, Councillor Mrs. M. Eileen Hall J.P., marking the start of a new chapter for one of the town’s most iconic buildings.

The re-opening was the result of a remarkable community effort led by Lytham Town Trust, under the chairmanship of Alan Ashton MBE, and supported by a dedicated board of local representatives. The Trust was formed to preserve buildings of historical and architectural interest for the benefit of the community, and the Assembly Rooms were among its earliest and most significant projects.

From Public Baths to Assembly Rooms

The site has a long and fascinating history. Buildings dedicated to public use have stood there since at least 1795. In 1860, the old Baths and two Assembly Rooms were built, later replaced in 1926–28 with a striking new complex that included modern bathing facilities, a ballroom, and an impressive new entrance façade on Dicconson Terrace. For generations, it became a much-loved venue for both recreation and social life.

By the late 1980s, however, structural problems meant the plunge bath had to be withdrawn from use, and Fylde Borough Council resolved to refurbish the surviving Assembly Rooms portion for community benefit. This vision, carried forward by the newly created Lytham Town Trust, ensured the building was not only saved but reimagined for the future.

Restoring and Reimagining

The refurbishment, directed by J H Ashworth & Co. for Fylde Borough Council, sensitively restored the façade and created two versatile new spaces inside: the Dicconson Room and the Ribble Room. Each room, seating around 100 people, was designed to host meetings, concerts, exhibitions, and a wide variety of community events.

The upper floor was retained as office space, leased in part to long-standing tenants including the Lytham Yacht Club. Meanwhile, the ground floor facilities were equipped with modern amenities such as a foyer, kitchen, and public address system, making the Assembly Rooms once again a hub for civic and social activity.

A Lasting Legacy

The opening ceremony in May 1991 symbolised more than just the unveiling of a refurbished building. It represented a community coming together to honour its past and invest in its future. Thanks to the leadership of Alan Ashton MBE, the commitment of the Trust’s board, and the support of Fylde Borough Council, the Assembly Rooms continue to stand as a proud reminder of Lytham’s heritage and as a resource for generations to come.

A copy of the programme cover for the Official Opening of The Assembly Rooms in Lytham.

A copy of the inner pages of the programme for the official opening of The Assembly Rooms in Lytham.

The story of the Assembly Rooms is one of resilience, collaboration, and vision — a testament to what can be achieved when a community values its history as much as its future.

A blue plaque has since been installed on the building following an application by the Lytham St Annes Civic Society. View images of the blue plaque here.

A Letter from the Chairman of Lytham Town Trust

In The Beginning

It’s hard to believe that thirty-five years have passed since Alan Ashton entertained me to lunch at an event at Lytham Hall, then owned by Guardian, which led to an invitation to become a founding member of Lytham Town Trust. Those who say there is no such thing as a free lunch are right. I’ve been paying for it ever since.

Our initial project was to take on the management of the Assembly Rooms under a 125 year lease. In retrospect, it must have seemed a daunting task. We had no money but were taking on the all the management and repair obligations the lease required. The task was made significantly easier by the generosity of Guardian which, under the stewardship of Barry Fothergill, took a twelve-year underlease of the offices on the first floor thereby underpinning our finances in those embryonic years.

As we mark this thirty-fifth anniversary it is remarkable to look back at everything that we have achieved. And I say “we” deliberately as it has been a team effort by our hardworking board members, both past and present.

Our constitution, ably drafted by David Coupe, set out the objects of Lytham Town Trust and we have been guided by these ever since. The board constitution included members nominated by other community organisations in Lytham ensuring their views were always represented in the decisions we have taken. Although those organisations have been updated as the years have passed to keep them relevant, the principle of community engagement remains a key part of Lytham Town Trust’s ethos.

Lytham Hall

David Coupe tells the story elsewhere of the acquisition of Lytham Hall and how it was saved by the community thanks to the generosity of BAE Systems. The fact that the Hall is now an award-winning historic house is due in no small measure to the energy, enthusiasm and commitment of Peter Anthony and Paul Lomax who lead the management team on behalf of our tenant, Heritage Trust for the North West. We have given our financial support to the Hall by placing the proceeds of a property sale into an Endowment Fund which is now worth over £850,000, the income from which supports the development of Lytham Hall as a leading visitor attraction in Lancashire. Since we acquired the Hall in 1996, Lytham Town Trust has paid and committed over £1.5m towards to Hall which has helped to ensure that it has a viable future as a community asset.

Recent Achievements

Our work is not only about conservation. It is also about ensuring our spaces are relevant, accessible, and sustainable. In recent years, we have expanded partnerships with local businesses and community groups, creating a stronger sense of shared ownership.

The Assembly Rooms, with its mix of community facilities and commercial offices, are a perfect example of how heritage and modern use can co-exist. The income generated by tenants allows us to invest back into the community facilities, keeping them affordable and available.

We have worked with the other local community groups in helping to ensure that the Lytham Institute, gifted to the predecessor of Fylde Council by the Clifton family, was recognised as being subject to a charitable trust and is consequently, an asset the use of which was always intended to benefit the community. Although a board of trustees has now been appointed to manage the Institute, significant challenges remain. The building requires a significant amount of expenditure on restoration and to make it suitable for mixed community and commercial use which will ensure that it too has a viable future as a community asset. Lytham Town Trust look forward to supporting the trustees in this endeavour.

Looking Ahead

We will continue to invest in our properties, to ensure that they are well maintained, and to set aside funds for the long-term maintenance of the Assembly Rooms. There are other historic buildings, constructional assets and community facilities locally not within our direct ownership and we will continue to use the resources we have available, both financial and expertise, to ensure that these continue to be available to benefit the people of Lytham.

David Gill, Chairman, Lytham Town Trust

An Interview with David Coupe

Hear David Coupe, one of the founders of Lytham Town Trust, share the inspiring story behind the Trust, memorable milestones, and the passionate people who have helped protect Lytham’s heritage.

The filmed interview features captions. You can also read the transcript of our interview with David Coupe.

Find out more about David Coupe.

“Lytham Hall belongs to the community. It should be available to the community to enjoy and use. It’s part of our heritage. And we are not going to give up. We’re going to carry on. We’re going to carry on. Right the way through to the 11th hour of the 11th day, whatever it is. We are carrying on, and we’re not going to stop.”

— David Coupe

35 Years of Lytham Town Trust

Lytham Town Trust Celebrates 35 Years with a Year of Special Events

This year marks a major milestone for Lytham Town Trust, as the organisation celebrates its 35th anniversary. Since its founding in 1990, the Trust has worked tirelessly to preserve, protect, and promote some of the town’s most historic buildings and community spaces, ensuring they remain at the heart of Lytham life.

To mark this special anniversary, the Trust has planned a 12-month programme of celebratory activities, beginning in September 2025.

Launching the Celebrations

The anniversary year opens with the launch of the Trust’s brand new website, offering a fresh and accessible way to explore its history, projects, and ongoing work in the community. Alongside this, the Trust will release a filmed interview with one of its founders, David Coupe, sharing unique insights into the early days of the organisation and the vision that has shaped its journey over the past three and a half decades.

A Year of Events Ahead

The launch is just the beginning. Over the next 12 months, Lytham Town Trust will host a series of events and activities designed to celebrate its heritage, engage the local community, and highlight the importance of protecting Lytham’s historic assets for future generations. More details of these activities will be released in the coming months.

Looking Back, Moving Forward

From the Assembly Rooms to other treasured landmarks, the Trust has safeguarded spaces that hold both historic and social importance for the town. This 35th anniversary is not only a moment to reflect on what has been achieved, but also a chance to look ahead, ensuring that the next 35 years continue to build on this legacy of care and stewardship.

Stay tuned for updates on the anniversary programme and join us in celebrating this remarkable chapter in Lytham’s story.