MEMBERS of a York social club look set to sell their premises to a developer - in order to survive.

Cash-strapped St Lawrence's Working Men's Club (WMC), in Lawrence Street, needs thousands of pounds worth of improvements, but has no way of funding them.

Members say they are left with little option but to sell off the Grade II listed building to a property developer, on the condition the club is retained in some form on the site.

As previously reported in the Evening Press, Promenade WMC, in St Benedict Road, recently teamed up with York-based developer Guildford Construction in a similar move.

Its existing premises are to

be demolished and replaced by a scheme including quality flats and a smaller club on the ground floor.

St Lawrence's stewardess, Sandra Holmes, said: "There's no other way round it.

"If members don't agree to sell, we may have to close in six months anyway, because of the work that needs doing."

In a recent survey of the working men's club scene, the Evening Press reported that St Lawrence's was approached three times by developers in just a few months. But members told them they weren't interested.

Wilfred Burns, a club member for 15 years, said: "It's common sense to sell off the club because it will keep it open. It would be a shame to see it close.

"I think members will vote in favour of selling at the upcoming meeting."

It is not known whether club members would be in line for a windfall if the site is sold.

An annual general meeting will be held next month for members to decide on the way forward.

It is believed a number of construction firms are interested in the site.

Mrs Holmes said vital repairs were needed to the building's roof, central heating and windows. The Evening Press survey was conducted in the wake of four club closures in just over a year: Fulford Road WMC, the INL, Layerthorpe WMC and the York City Arms.

Clubs said developers were "circling like sharks" in the quest to build more homes.

Members surveyed said overwhelmingly that the club scene was in decline with a severe lack of younger members and profit margins becoming smaller.

Updated: 08:42 Thursday, February 27, 2003