Hospital social club facing closure
A £100,000 REPAIR bill and dwindling membership has forced the closure of Torbay Hospital's sports and social club.
Spiralling costs and electrical problems forced the immediate but temporary closure of the licensed premises in April.
But faced with the £45,000 repair bill, increasing running costs and dwindling membership, the club's committee this week proposed the lights be turned out permanently.
But members are making an 11th hour attempt to save the club and have been given 28 days to raise the cash needed to reopen the doors.
Social club chairman and senior nurse at Torbay Hospital Nigel Ford, explained: "The club has been an icon for 30 years. But it has fallen victim to the recession like many other licensed premises.
"It got to the stage where it was making a loss and there comes a time when you have to take a pragmatic action.
"I was as clear as I could be that the financial situation is so dire I do not think the business is viable."
He added: "A few members have formed a working party and have been given 28 days to come up with a plan to save the club.
"In my experience if they do raise sufficient funds to get the club open again, the working capital they need will not be forthcoming.
"I am 90 per cent sure the club won't be reopening."
The social club owns the building and the site also includes a swimming pool.
If time is permanently called on the premises, the committee has recommended the building is given to Torbay Hospital for decommissioning.
A spokesman for Torbay Hospital said it is far too early to speculate on what would be done with the building.
Mr Ford added: "It is a big loss because it is such an important part of the hospital.
"The club will be missed by the staff who use it in the evenings and weekends and the NHS retirement fellowship who used to meet there twice a month."
He said things had been going downhill for a long time.
"There used to be 400 to 500 student nurses living within a stone's throw of the club. But they have all been moved to Plymouth," he added.
"The club has experienced a slow decline with the changes in people's ways and support for the club is diminishing."
In a statement taped to the door of the club, Mr Ford said the club has declined despite attempts to revive the premises which were supported by the care trust.
"We have also now let the trust management know that we will be recommending that the club is wound up," he added.
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by alan j hodgkinson, great yarmouth
Friday, July 31 2009, 3:19PM
“I have just seen the news on the internet and as a past chairman of this wonderful asset to the members and the care trust I was wondering if an appeal been made to all members past and present for their help.I was a member of the supplies department until I retired in 2000 due to a heart attack. If any members who remember me wish to contact me then my email address is hodgkinson180@btinternet.com and I will be pleased to be in contact with them, GOOD LUCK for the future”
by General Services Department, torbay
Wednesday, July 15 2009, 3:45PM
“Can all members and interested parties get in touch with me if you are intersted in getting the club back up and running. With new ideas and backing we can and will make the club a place where all members can enjoy. we just need all interested in joining the club as nhs staff formally complete application forms to get the membership back up to a sufficient level to get the initial repairs sorted.”
by social club member, torbay
Wednesday, July 15 2009, 3:41PM
“Can Roy please get in contact with me its about trying to save the club. We last held a meeting on Tuesday 14th July and are looking to raise funds to keep the club running but need people like you to support us and help out.”
by Roy, Torbay
Friday, July 03 2009, 9:00PM
“NOW I WONDER WHO HAS FRIENDS IN HIGH, AND LOW PLACES. !”
by Gareth, Plainmoor
Friday, July 03 2009, 12:22PM
“Is that so? Let me clarify a few points that the hospital have omitted from their statement.
The hospital has wanted that land for a car park for many years. And have now given the members 28 days in order to raise £100,000.00 to avoid the demolition and inevitable emergence of a new pay and display. What they have failed to mention is the fact that there was no actual fault found during the electrical inspection. It was decided that because of the age of the building, a full rewire would be required to keep insurance costs down. And it was speculated that the full cost could be in the region of £40,000.00. No quotation has ever been tendered for the work, so were does the £100,000.00 price tag come from?
The hospital management have merely decided to strip the hospital (and local) community of a well run social focal point in order to fill their coffers. Considering the amount of effort spent raising the money to build the club, a little more respect could have been shown to its members.
I think the clubs only hope now will be if a generous benefactor emerges to save the day. Lets hope somebody is able to step up to the plate and stop the powers of middle management ruining a perfectly good facility.”