A social club that has hosted everything from Covid vaccinations and NHS clinics to weddings and wakes is appealing for help as it battles serious financial difficulties.
Spencer Sports & Social Club in Melksham said it is now operating on a month-by-month basis, with energy costs becoming its biggest financial challenge.
Club secretary Leroy Shand said they had paid almost £26,000 in energy costs in the first eight months of this year – compared with around £30,000 for the whole of 2025.
The club is also locked into its current energy contract until 2028.
“Our energy costs have placed considerable pressure on our finances, and we are currently having to carefully manage our cash flow each month, deciding which bills need to be paid immediately, and which can be delayed,” he said.
“We are working hard to keep the club operating and serving the community despite these financial pressures.”
The club has launched a fundraising appeal as it looks to secure its future and improve its facilities.
It wants to give the building a facelift and develop a children's play area on the playing field behind the club to attract more families.
Mr Shand said: “By improving the facilities and making the club more family-friendly, we hope to attract more visitors, increase sales and generate additional income that can help us meet our ongoing overheads.”
Spencer’s currently has around 200 members, although many belong to its bowls and skittles teams.
The club wants to attract a wider audience and build on the success of a recent family fun day, which it said demonstrated there was an appetite for family-friendly events.
But Mr Shand said the appeal was about more than simply keeping a venue open.
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Spencer’s has hosted NHS leg clinics and blood donation sessions, as well as speed awareness courses, Covid vaccinations and a wide range of social and community events.
Its facilities are also used for darts, poker, pool and live entertainment, while the club provides a place for locals to meet.
“Spencer Sports & Social Club provides an important community space and is used for more than just social activities,” Mr Shand said.
“We also have facilities and outdoor space that have the potential to support a much wider range of community activities.”
The club has explored grants, loans and other funding opportunities but has been unsuccessful with many applications.
Mr Shand said the response to the fundraiser had been positive, although slower than hoped.
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Much of the building has not been substantially updated for around 30 years, but work has already begun on improving the front of the club.
The longer-term ambition is to modernise the site and make better use of the outdoor space.
Mr Shand said: “Success would be to see [the] club become a thriving community hub where families, individuals and local groups feel welcome.
“We want the club to become somewhere people can come to relax, have fun, socialise and catch up with friends and family. Ultimately, we want Spencer Sports & Social Club to become the place to be in the local community.”
The club's appeal asks people to donate if they can or share the fundraiser to help spread the word.
Mr Shand said: “We are not just trying to raise money to improve a building. We are trying to create a welcoming, modern community hub where families, friends and local groups can come together, enjoy themselves and feel part of the community.”
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