The secretary of an ex-servicemen and sportman's club, which was formed in Sheringham just after the second world war, has claimed its demise was down to lack of member support, new licensing laws, the smoking ban and cheap alcohol.

The Sheringham Social Club, at Holway Road, closed its doors for the final time this month despite having a 500-strong membership.

Sheringham resident Paul Todd has been the secretary for the last nine years and said although the closure had been expected for more than a year, the club had been 'trying to work through the problems'.

'It's happened because of the lack of people coming in, the smoking ban, the new licensing laws and the shops selling cheap alcohol,' he said.

'There was a group of hard-core members who used the club everyday but then there was the other members not using the club that contributed to it closing down.'

Adam Clarke and Andrew Kelsall of Larking Gowen, Norwich, have been appointed as joint agents to assist the club's committee in realising the club's assets and settling their liabilities.

Mr Kelsall, director of business recovery, said, 'It appears that the club has been making trading losses for many years and while these have in the past been absorbed by reserves and profits from fruit machines this is now no longer the case.

'Our recommendation was to cease operations and to use the club assets - the premises - to repay creditors including the five members of staff.

'It is envisaged that the club will be able to pay all claims in full and that any surplus will be held by the committee for the club members to determine in a future meeting what they will do in the future.'

The decision was made to shut to club immediately after the proposals were explained to attending members at the recent annual meeting.

Mr Todd added that any funds left over from the sale could go towards getting another club in the future.

? Were you a member? What do you think of the closure? Call the news room on 01263 513160 or email nnn.news@archant.co.uk.