A TEIGNBRIDGE social club which closed suddenly has invited all its members to an extraordinary meeting.

The Mid Devon Constitutional Club in Union Street, Newton Abbot, shut its doors without warning earlier this summer. Since then, members have speculated as to the reasons for the closure and whether it was in fact temporary or permanent.

Hopefully their fears will be allayed as the committee has now invited all members to the meeting at the club in Union Street on Tuesday, September 13 at 7pm, when they will outline t plans to review how the club is run, increase membership and secure a vibrant future.

A spokesperson for the committee said: ‘We would like to apologise to all our members for shutting so suddenly, This was never the plan to close for this long.

‘During the meeting the committee will speak to our members about the future of the club and how we are going to move forward from this.’

The spokesperson explained several factors had forced the temporary closure.

Rising costs put pressure on the club. Food and alcohol had risen to such an extent it was hard to keep prices down for members. Staff wages had also increased in line with inflation, although the committee had found it difficult to get staff, saying: ‘It seems no one wants to work in hospitality.’

Other running costs had risen sharply – one utility bill, for example, had increased from £894 to more than £3,000.

Membership numbers had fallen in recent years leading to a drop in takings – to the point that the club was costing more to run than it was making.

Takings had fallen further due to covid. ‘Some of our members didn’t return to the club due to health reasons,’ said the committee member. ‘We have always tried to think about our members’ safety. This is always at the forefront of our minds.’

A perception that it was ‘an old man’s club’ made it hard to encourage a new young membership – something which will now be addressed.

The spokesperson said: ‘The way in which we took new members on made it hard for people to join. This to is due to change.

‘The image of the club has not helped gain younger members. The general public didn’t know what we could offer as a club.

‘We hope to promote a more family friendly club.’