A SOCIAL club that has been part of a Bicester community for more than 40 years could be forced to close its doors for good.

A bank has threatened to pull the plug over a £130,000 loan owed by the Kea Club, off Leach Road, Highfield, unless it can generate extra income.

In a last-ditch bid to keep the club open, paid staff may be laid off, with the bar run by volunteers. The management committee is also urging groups from the town to use its facilities.

The building has a multi-purpose hall, snooker room, main bar, kitchen, storage area and changing rooms.

Club secretary Anne Donaldson said: “There’s a lot at stake if the club closes. There’s nothing else in this part of Bicester – you’ve got the club and the Centurion pub.

“It’s a story of our times, declining membership, borrowing too much and when you need to pay it back, you don’t have the revenue.

“We’re only just surviving and aren’t being helped by the bank.

“We own the land and property and our fallback position is to put the whole thing up for sale and close the doors.

“We’re left with the best part of 300 members and a core of about 50 regular users. It’s quite depressing when looking at it, but I doubt we’re alone.”