MEMBERS have voted to keep a Hampshire social club open, but still need to raise £2,000 to keep it afloat.

Twyford Social Club members took the decision at an Extraordinary General Meeting on Saturday August 31

As previously reported, the club was one of two community facilities in the Winchester district urging residents to 'use it or lose it', the other being Waltham Chase Post Office.

In a newsletter sent out by Twyford Parish Council, a spokesman for the club said: "In order to do keep the club open we need to raise £2,000 to keep the club solvent for the next five months. "In that time the committee, members and the village (our “community”), will work together to come up with initiatives to make the club more relevant to 2019 Twyford whilst retaining its core values as a non-profit community club."

The spokesman added: "The club is presently losing £400 a month, which is being funded by interest free loans from our Chairman, Robin.

"£2,000 will cover this deficit for five months, during which time the club will be working harder than ever to address current issues and deficiencies and generate more revenue by creating an environment and offering with global appeal."

The club has set up a JustGiving page, available via https://bit.ly/2jXaFQ2, and has so far raised nearly £400.

As previously reported, the social club in Queen Street is now closed on a Sunday and Monday to see if staff wages will be reduced to an affordable level.

Meanwhile, staff at the post office are asking for 150 people to use the shop daily and spend around £5 each, and say this will be enough revenue to keep the store open.

A spokesperson from Waltham Chase Post Office said: “Back in 2011, we took over the village shop and post office and we’ve invested a lot of time, effort and money to keep it going.

“We have worked extremely hard to make a success for our little village store.

“We have been lucky enough to live amongst you, make new friends, and we are very grateful for your loyalty and continued support.

“Like all businesses, we survive on your custom, and to secure our future in the village, we need to increase our turnover.

“If only 150 customers – we serve approximately 175 to 200 daily – could spend just £5 each day this would do it.”