An under-threat East Oxford community centre and social club has been given a further six months to get itself in shape.

In February, East Oxford Social Club looked set to close after its management committee racked up £14,000 in debts. But now the club, which is based at the separately-run East Oxford Community Centre in Princes Street, has new management and has paid back £3,000 of its debts.

Social club treasurer Ed Pope gave Oxford City Council's east area parliament a rundown on the club's current state. He told members: "The bar is financially viable and in the six months since I have been treasurer paid off nearly £3,000 of debt and spent £500 on paint and on doing up the bar."

Mr Pope acknowledged some of the issues raised in a report to the committee, including complaints about noise and antisocial behaviour. There were also issues surrounding non-members being allowed in and sold alcohol, and licence regulations not being followed.

But he said: "I think they will be sorted hopefully by March, and certainly by June. We hope to have all debts paid off by some time in 2009."

The community centre, which is run by East Oxford Community Association, is owned by the council and the committee agreed the two management committees could have until June 2008 to complete a series of action points. These included making sure the premises are run to standards required by regulations, providing financial plans for the centre and social club for the next 12 months and ensuring all employed staff and volunteers were appropriately trained.

Catherine Gundry, a trustee of the association, said: "There is a real sense of pulling together. The business of the social club was a big dark hole sucking on everybody's energies.

"The hard work by volunteers is a real testimony to what local people can do when given enough support."