CIVIL SERVICE CLUB RESCUE SEEMS UNLIKELY

10.19.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 21st Apr 2008

Nearly 300 Malvern residents completed and returned and petition about the future of the Civil Service Club in Spring Lane, Malvern which is due to close on 30th April. There was overwhelming support for retaining the club as a community facility, and opposing the idea of another large supermarket in the town.

Local Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, Richard Burt said all but a handful of people backed the campaign to keep the club open.

Mr Burt said:

"I have been in discussions with the Chief Executive of the Civil Service Association and made it very clear how strong

local feeling was running over the proposed closure.

"County Councillors Penelope Morgan and Clive Smith have engaged in a round of talks to explore the potential for a bid to lease the club, but although we found two interested groups, it seems most others have understandably made alternative arrangements to continue their activities elsewhere.

"A bid from Tesco was neither confirmed or denied by the Chief Executive, and if it turns out to be their intention to purchase the site, I am sure Tesco will pay a handsome price.

"It seems the closure will go ahead as planned on 30th April, but we will of course remain alert to any last minute opportunities to save the club.

"Local people have told us loud and clear they do not want another supermarket in Spring Lane, so there may well be a future battle ahead."