A former men-only club in Liverpool will host a ‘girl-powered celebration’ on International Women’s Day. Tony McDonough reports

A former gentleman’s club in Liverpool city will host an event on International Women’s Day

Liverpool Athenaeum in Church Alley, opposite Bluecoat Chambers, was once an exclusive men-only only venue. It was opened in 1800 in Church Street and moved to its current location in 1924. Today it it welcomes members of all genders and walks of life.

On March 8 female-led Fierce Futures CIC will host a “girl-powered celebration”. It will be in two parts. From 5.30pm to 7pm the Athenaeum will be open for a free guided tour and a complimentary glass of bubbly in its renowned library.

Guests will have the opportunity to network and chat with the club members and staff. Free tickets are limited and people are urged to register to ensure they will be able to attend. Click here to register.

Later on in the evening there will be a Celebration of Liverpool Women event that will offer drinks, “posh bites” and entertainment. Early-bird tickets are available for £20 until February 15. This rises to £30 on that date and £35 per head on March 1. Click here to book.

This celebration marks the launch of a new programme of activities organised by non-profit organisation. Fierce Futures. Its mission is to “empower women to forge fierce futures through creativity, self-expression, and learning”.

It will be sharing more on the programme of FREE activities during the event, but promise ‘creative workshops, exclusive learning experiences, and one-to-one mentorship programs’.

This programme will be open to local women who feel they’ve been held back by low self-esteem or life experiences.

Anna Grace Du Noyer, founder of Fierce Futures, will be speaking during the evening, as part of a Q&A panel of local women.

Theme of the discussion is breaking down barriers, and overcoming difficult experiences, leading to personal fulfilment. Anna’s will relate her own story of past traumas and her resilience.

READ MORE: ‘Female entrepreneurs hold key to UK recovery’

She said “I feel passionately about creating opportunities for women raise their aspirations, find their fierce and live happy and fulfilled lives.

“Because of my own lived experience – and that of our Fierce Futures team – we feel particularly driven to engage victims of sexual violence and abuse in our programme of creative, educational and self-esteem building activities.

“We also encourage women with lived experience of trauma (of any kind) to get in touch and tell us if there are any specific activities they feel would like to access, but haven’t been able to – for any reason – cost, location or technology barriers for example. 

On the night, at The Athenaeum, club member Anna also reveals guests can expect a “top secret announcement” from an unnamed special guest.