Here comes the sun in a £90,000 facelift for Solent Social Club
The Solent Social Club has a bright new look thanks to a major refurb.
ALee-On-the-Solent social club bar is set to unveil its £90,000 face-lift, including some long-requested skylights. The Solent Social Club in 66 High Street is putting the finishing touches to the fivefigure face lift.
The improvements have seen the installation of new skylights, an often requested feature from the club’s 500 members, according to entertainment manager Keith Russell.
He said: 'We had a major refurbishment at the beginning of February.
'One of the building's issues is that it can be a bit dark, and one sunny days people wanted more sunshine.
‘It's looking good – it’s like the sun's come back.’
Already club members have taken to social media to praise the venue’s bright new decor.
One said: ‘I'm pleased this has at last happened, we wanted skylights at the last major refit some years back, but for some reason it was rejected.
‘It’s looking good – new toilets and lighter decor – well done the committee.’
Traditional members clubs need to invest to ensure they can attract younger punters who are used to more modern bars, according to Keith.
He said: ‘Some of the clubs
Lee-on-the-Solent
have been to are not very nice — they are very old fashioned.
‘They need to offer more to younger people.
‘Lee does have a lot of older people - but it also has a lot of young people too.’
But The Solent Social Club — which grew out of the Lee on Solent Working Men’s Club — retains its traditional sense of community, according to Keith, its committee is looking forward to welcoming back regulars when the club reopens in May.
The refurbishment, which was agreed during a meeting last September, follows a rocky 12 months for the club, with trade plummeting 75 per cent and increasing uncertainty meaning that five stuff members had to be let go.
He said: ‘It was sad to see them let go.
‘They were really great staff – they knew all the customers and mixed with everyone well.
‘I hope that some of them will be able to come back.’
The Solent Social Club will return with its usual itinerary of pool, snooker, and darts teams, as well as regular events including bingo and meat raffles.