AMBITIOUS bosses of a York social club are hoping to establish it as a top live music venue.

They hope the Crescent Working Men's Club, off Blossom Street, will become a breeding ground for up-and-coming bands, in the mould of Fibbers, the city's leading live music venue.

Club steward Brian Norrie said the 250-capacity function room, which has a raised stage, was "ideal" for hosting gigs.

"This is a great way of encouraging younger people to come into the club," he said.

"The club scene is a survival of the fittest, you've got to do what you can."

The Evening Press recently conducted a major survey of the social clubs scene in the wake of the shock announcement that the York Civil Service Sports Club, in Boroughbridge Road, will shut next year. Four other clubs have shut in just over a year.

The findings revealed that many were being targeted by property developers as they struggled to survive in the 21st century.

Committee members said overwhelmingly that that the club scene was in decline, with a severe lack of younger members.

Brian, who hopes to refurbish the function room, said bands could play for free and take a cut of what was made on the door.

"The club is centrally located and we think there's a definite gap in the market," he said.

"We can hold as many people as Fibbers and we've got proper dressing rooms. It's all about getting our name known.

"We've already started putting bands on and it has gone down well."

Club president Eric Ellison said: "The club is ideally placed. Putting on bands is a good way of attracting younger members. There are very few music venues in York."

Mike Shank, a member of up-and-coming York band The Shanks, said: "It's a really good idea - I'm all for it.

"There is definitely room for another big venue in the city."

Any bands interested in performing at the Crescent should contact Brian on 01904 622510.

Updated: 10:28 Saturday, December 28, 2002