MEMBERS of St Neots’ RAF Association (RAFA) Club have been warned it could close unless they use the Huntingdon Street venue.

Steward Liane Matzk says the club has struggled for the past two years as supermarkets offer cut-price booze and Wetherspoon’s has taken much of the town’s pub trade.

She said it was “amazing we are still going” but added: “With the current economy, I don’t know how much longer we can survive.

“There will be so many people completely gutted if it closed, as we have many ex-RAF members who use the club. Where will they go? A blow like this could devastate them.

“I am doing all I can to keep things going and trying new entertainment but it is so hard keeping up with the times whilst maintaining the atmosphere the old members have grown to love.

“We are doing all we can to stay open for the soldiers that may want to use the club in the future.”

Mrs Matzk said she had held events such as a karaoke and Play Your Cards Right events on Fridays but that it was difficult to organise new and exciting entertainment on a low budget.

She has appealed for donations to help keep the club going and has also put up posters saying “use it or lose it” to show members that the club needs their support.

The RAFA Club currently has about 360 members, with about 30 or 40 using the venue regularly.

Ex-RAF members can join on a branch membership but the club is open to anybody on an associate membership.

“We have got a community here and are trying to stay competitive with our prices,” Mrs Matzk said.

INFORMATION: Contact St Neots RAFA Club by emailing rafaclubstneots@live.co.uk