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The Real Phoenix Nights - Clacton

John has run the Clacton Railway Working Men鈥檚 Club for decades. It鈥檚 a local institution. Now, supported by his two daughters, he tries to modernise.

The Railway Club, a working men鈥檚 club in Clacton, Essex, is a local institution. The hub of a thriving community, it has been a lifeline for many working people in the area and acts as a second family for many. The Railway鈥檚 chairman, John, has seen the club open its doors to generations of Clactonians, running everything from bingo nights to karaoke competitions.

But times are hard for this seaside town. The area has an ageing population and has weathered years of economic decline. Now, with Britain emerging from the pandemic, we follow the Railway as it seeks to modernise and stay relevant in a changing world. John鈥檚 two daughters, Kelly and Emma, have decided to help their father run the club. With a previous career in banking, Kelly has a strong head on her shoulders and wants to drive the business forward, whilst Emma鈥檚 kind-heartedness sees her caring out of hours for the older members of the club.

Joining the Railway against the backdrop of rising overheads and an ageing membership, they want to broaden the club鈥檚 appeal and keep it from going under. And, above all else, they want to protect an institution which means everything to their father and their community.

This is a story about change, tradition, and a family forging an uneasy compromise between the old and the new.

29 minutes

Last on

Mon 22 Aug 2022 20:30

Credits

Role Contributor
Executive Producer Nisha Lilia Diu
Executive Producer Sarah Trigg
Commissioning Editor Aisling O'Connor
Director Charlotte Charlton

Broadcasts

  • Wed 23 Feb 2022 20:00
  • Sun 27 Feb 2022 03:30
  • Tue 1 Mar 2022 02:30
  • Mon 22 Aug 2022 20:30