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Halton Moor WMC secures £200,000 investment
Halton Moor WMC which faced its last gasp has secured £200,000 investment in a bid to turn around its fortunes.
The club blamed the smoking ban for dwindling numbers that saw it open just two days a week because of huge losses.
Now diehard members have held a grand re-opening with ambitions of turning the Cartmel Drive club into a major live music venue as well as a hub for the community after local businesses came up with the cash.
Plans are in place to set up football teams, a boxing section, bingo and clubs for the elderly.
John Hope, a club member for 20 years who will be on the newly formed committee, said: "It's time to get back to the good old days. Once a month we are hoping to have top of the bill cabaret with TV stars, chart stars, X Factor and Britain's Got Talent finalists already booked to perform."
"Halton Moor is a deprived area and has had some very bad press over recent years.
"But this is something positive for the community. There is a real buzz and I think this is a place we can all be proud of.
"A lot of pubs and clubs across the city are closing and, for people in east Leeds in particular, there are not many places for people on a budget to be able to go out and enjoy a night out."
Kids' clubs and dance and theatre groups have been set up by member Janine Nelson
The club, founded in the 1950s, reopened on Saturday. Major work is being done on the club's 850 capacity concert room and games room.
When finished it will cost in the region of 200,000 which has been mainly raised by club members and local businesses.
Mr Hope said: "Up to about five year ago this club was thriving, then we were hit really badly by the smoking ban.
"Membership reached as low as 250 and we resorted to having to open just for a couple of days at the weekend. But we are confident we can turn things around with facilities everyone can enjoy."
It is the second Leeds working men's club in as many weeks aiming to buck the trend of pub and club closures.
Last week the YEP reported how Meanwood Working Men's Club was reopening – a year after closing with 200,000 worth of debts.
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Weather for Leeds
Tuesday 22 May 2012
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Temperature: 9 C to 23 C
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