The Whitfield Club, which has accommodated generations of residents, is undergoing an extensive refurbishment this month.

The premises, in Napchester Road, is having thousands spent on it to replace the bar, renew furniture and modernise the function rooms.

Chairman Jackie Goldfinch, 32, of Cranleigh Drive, said this is the first overhaul it has had since the late 1960s.

She hopes the club’s membership numbers will increase when the interior is transformed.

The tight-knit community venue is only open to people who have signed up, or for those who pay to hire.

But Mrs Goldfinch said it has a safe environment for adults and children, which still makes it popular with families.

“In its heyday it used to be busy but over the years it has just dwindled,” she said.

“Families come in the evenings with their children, and we also do a lot of family events.”

It will be closed to the public from Sunday, November 22 and will have a grand re-opening at 7pm on Saturday, December 12.

Builders, members of the committee and residents are dedicating their time to help get it finished in preparation for the Christmas events held throughout December.

Mrs Goldfinch, who met her husband Stephen through the club, said: “We want to make it a hub of the community and for people to see it is really a community place.

“We are not out to make profit, we are there for people to come and have a good time - we just want to stay open.”