IT'S not all doom and gloom in York's declining social club scene.

Bishopthorpe Social Club, in Main Street, is bucking the recent trend of closures and cash problems with the completion of a major revamp and the recruitment of dozens of younger members.

The club has recently undergone a £10,000 refurbishment, with significant improvements made to its lounge, concert room and passageways.

Secretary Jackie Medley, who was appointed two-and-a-half years ago, says membership has increased from 340 to 519 in the last 18 months.

The Evening Press recently reported that cash-strapped St Lawrence's Working Men's Club, 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 the Grade II listed building to a property developer, on the condition the club is retained.

Jackie said developers had written to them three times recently to ask whether they would put the club up for sale.

"It's not for sale," she said.

"We've got no need to sell it. Things are going really well at the moment.

"We've managed to get a lot more younger people to join after agreeing to sponsor the local football club. That is the way forward.

"The club looks beautiful following the refurbishment and hopefully it will be a bright future for us."

Jackie said a number of events were planned over the coming months, including free children's discos, singing entertainment and a football quiz night.

The Evening Press conducted a survey in the wake of four club closures in just over a year: Fulford Road WMC, the INL, Layerthorpe WMC and the York City Arms.

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

Meanwhile, Promenade WMC, in St Benedict Road, recently teamed up with York-based developer Guildford Construction, in order to survive. Its existing premises will be demolished and replaced with quality flats and a smaller club on the ground floor.

Updated: 08:27 Tuesday, March 11, 2003