Swancote Country Club axes its restaurant and jobs

A landmark venue that attracts hundreds of bikers from across the Midlands to weekly theme nights revealed today that it has been forced to close its restaurant, axe 10 staff and cut its bar opening hours.

Swancote Country Club has become reliant on functions and its biker nights, which see up to 1,000 people from all over the region descend there. The venue, which also hosts weddings and parties. is set in 45 acres of picturesque grounds off the A454 near Bridgnorth.

Under its cost-cutting measures, it has had to cut catering, kitchen and bar jobs after takings slumped.

The 60-cover restaurant is out of use, and the bar guarantees to be open on Wednesdays and Fridays only as owner Steve Platt, who took over eight years ago, battles to balance the books.

Function rooms catering for more than 250 people are keeping the business going, while there is also an outdoor heated pool and 24-hour gym.

Mr Platt said: "The restaurant is closed at the moment.

"We had rented it out to someone last summer but they were not making money and they pulled out.

"Apart from the two nights, the bar is only open if we get busy – there's no point if there's only a handful of people.

"We have got to pay the staff and the running costs, and it's not worth it."