Church social club to close after four decades due to costs
A social club at a Great Barr church that has been open for nearly four decades will close after church leaders said they can no longer afford to keep it running.
The Dove Club, which is attached to St Matthew's Church, in Birdbrook Road, will shut after its New Year's Eve celebrations on December 31.
Church leaders today said the move was due to a downward trend in bar finances.
The move has sparked disappointment from community members who say they have been left with nowhere to go.
A petition has been signed by more than 200 people who have protested to keep the club open.
Long-standing committee member Angela Fowler said campaigners were looking at all options to preserve the venue.
"It's a great shame that a club which has served its community for nearly 40 years is going to close in this way," she said.
"We are still looking to see if there are any other options available in the next week to keep the club open, but time is against us.
"We just want to enjoy the club whilst we still have it and hope to have the best Christmas and New Year to send off in the right way."
The Dove has around 250 members on its books and on December 19 held its annual children's Christmas party.
Father Adam Romanis, from the church, said the decision came down to financial pressures and said the decision had been taken with a heavy heart.
The Dove Club's last remaining nights are on Christmas Eve 7pm till close and New Year's Eve 6pm till close.
