It's been at the heart of the Harleston community for 30 years, but now the days of the Apollo Club are numbered.

The Apollo's landmark public bar and snooker hall are due to close on September 1 and the function rooms will close on January 1.

Anne Jary, who owns the business with her husband, David, said it was no longer feasible to keep the club open after years of declining patronage.

The Apollo's function rooms have hosted hundreds of christening celebrations, wedding receptions, wakes and parties.

Mrs Jary said they had even had the children of couples who had their wedding receptions at the Apollo have their own wedding celebrations there.

But Mrs Jary said times were not like they used to be.

She said: 'People's lifestyles have changed. 'It's become more popular to drink and home instead of at the pub.

'It's not like it used to be when you could put up a few posters for an event and hundreds of people would turn up.'

The Apollo has also hosted the world's top darts and snooker players for tournaments, and has been the venue for regular Lions, Probus and other club meetings.

The Jary's daughter and the club's manager, Belinda Farmer, said the venue would continue as normal until closing and this year's Christmas and New Year's parties would go ahead. She said: 'We want to say a big thank you to all our customers and everyone who has supported us over the years.'

It is not yet clear what will happen to the premises, which is owned by Lings Motor Group.

There will be a thank-you 'summer party' at the venue on August 26 from 8pm, including live music, free refreshments and a welcome drink.