MEMBERS of a cash-strapped social club have voiced their anger after being barred from talks about its future.

More than a dozen members were refused entry to a meeting to discuss ways to save Colchester’s Greenstead Social Club.

The club, in Blackthorn Avenue, was forced to shut last week because of an unpaid electricty bill.

The closure left the groups which use it in the lurch and one couple’s wedding plans in tatters.

The talks yesterday were scheduled between managers and representatives from brewer Greene King which supplies ale to the club.

The centre is the estate’s only licensed venue.

Members claim they have been kept in the dark about the club’s financial problems.

They heard rumours a meeting was taking place and wanted to have their say.

Agnes O’Mahony, of Alderton Road, Colchester, said: “We knocked on the door and I asked if we could come in as we are the members and we own this club.

“But they said ‘you can’t come in here’ and shut the door.

“They then left ten minutes later and said the meeting had been cancelled because we were here.

“We need to have our say and find out why this club has closed.

“But they haven’t given us a chance.”

Fellow member Pat Laurie, 63, of Dewberry Close, Greenstead, said: “It’s disgraceful.

“We wanted answers and we wanted to know whether any progress had been made towards reopening the club.

“We wanted to give our reasons to keep the club open. If it shuts, it will have a massive impact on the pensioners who use it, plus everyone who goes there to drink because we do not have another pub on the estate.

“A country and western club and a pre-school use it. Bingo sessions are held there, along with private bookings.”

No one from the club’s management committee was willing to comment yesterday.

Ward councillor Julie Young said she had spoken to managers and they were trying to reopen the club.

She added: “There was a meeting scheduled with Greene King representatives and those from the management committee to find a way forward.

“As far as I’m aware, it wasn’t an open meeting for residents.

“I can understand long-standing members are unhappy and want to know what the future holds for the club, as we all do.

“I do think we need to give the leadership a bit of time to work through the negotiations with Greene King to make sure the club gets up and running as soon as possible.”