By Hayley Robinson

A squash court has been transformed into a bar in a bid to keep a sports club from going under.

Gore Court Cricket Club faced losing up to £12,000 after fire wrecked the roof of the cricket pavilion in January.

Its main income was generated by the bar which was destroyed. With repairs estimated to take at least six months a temporary bar has been set up in one of the squash courts.

Club chairman Brian Birch said: "Shepherd Neame loaned us a bar and beer serving equipment and we have had temporary emergency lighting installed so that the whole area on the west side of the club is safe to use.

"Unfortunately, because we didn’t have business interruption insurance, anything needed to keep us going temporarily is at the club’s cost. We have spent nearly £2,000 to stay operational.

"Last year we took £50,000 over the bar and £1,500 in hall bookings between January 8, and September 17, so this fire will have a massive impact on our club. Also the forthcoming cricket season will be marred by the teams being unable to use the club to serve teas and the veranda will be unusable for spectators because of the scaffolding.

"The only silver lining is that we shall have a new bar, kitchen and hall when all the work is finished."

Firefighters from Sittingbourne, Sheppey and Teynham were called to the pavilion in London Road, Sittingbourne, just before 11am on Saturday, January 8.

It took them more than an hour to tackle the flames with crews wearing breathing apparatus. The fire broke out in the boiler room and the cost to repair the damage is estimated at £250,000. Sittingbourne Rugby team and Gore Court Hockey team regularly use the centre and cricket is played there in the summer. Toilets and showers are still in use.

It is hoped the club will fully reopen on Saturday, September 17, with a grand opening on Sunday, September 18.