MEMBERS of a popular club, which has been the cornerstone of Malvern's social life for several decades, are preparing to close the doors for the final time on Wednesday, April 30.

The Civil Service Sports Council Club (CSSC) in Spring Lane, Malvern Link, will cease trading and the keys to the premises will be handed over to the club's parent company CSSC Ltd by the end of the week. Kitchen equipment and furniture belonging to the club has already been sold and buyers will be able to collect their goods after Wednesday.

Club committee members, local councillors and West Worcestershire parliamentary candidates Richard Burt and Harriet Baldwin have tried unsuccessfully to get a stay of execution.

CSSC Ltd announced on February 28 that the club would close due to financial problems. But committee members have always insisted that the Malvern club had not lost £150,000 over the past four years, as was claimed, and that a new business plan had been prepared which would have enabled the club to continue.

Committee chairman Malcolm Fish said: "Since they announced we were closing, we have been really busy in the canteen during the week and on Saturday nights."

The committee consulted a solicitor to find out if CSSC Ltd had the power to close the club. "He did not give us much hope," said Mr Fish.

Despite overwhelming support for the club by local people who signed a petition, the closure will go ahead on Wednesday.

Acting club secretary Dave Thompson said: "The club is a massive part of Malvern. This is Malvern's community centre. There is nothing like it anywhere around here."

Thousands of people have attended functions at the social club over the years.

Seventeen events were already booked for May to August this year and have had to be moved or cancelled.