South Woodham's cash-strapped Community Association facility could be forced to close, stripping pensioners of their 'lifeline' and leaving community groups without a venue.

The bar and function room in the William de Ferrers Centre has been losing money for a year.

Licensee and manageress Penny Fewell this week pleaded for the support of residents, at least until the opening of the town's swimming pool in September which should make business buoyant again.

She said: "We are getting very short of money. If we can just get people to hire rooms, take up membership and use the bar, if we can just make it through to September we will be okay, but if things carry on like this we will have to close in April."

The bar was badly hit when the William de Ferrers Centre's training pitches were declared unusable last September.

In an effort to boost funds the bar is holding three Saturday family discos on February 7, March 6 and April 3.To find out more about membership or room hire call the bar on 01245 322882.

Published Friday January 23, 2004

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