MEMBERS of an historic Pontypool club fear it will close, after its licence was suspended by the local council.

The GWRSA (Great Western Railway Staff Association) club in Griffithstown, known as the Oily Rag, was built in 1873 as a mechanics’ institute and was used by the local railway workers.

The club is a regular live entertainment venue, has around 170 members’ aged between 20 and 80’ and raises money for charity.

But all that could change after its licence was suspended by Torfaen council.

Julie Blake, from the club’s committee, said a complaint about noise at the club was made by a neighbour to the council last year.

She said this led to the council wanting to revoke the club’s licence for three months and the GWRSA is now appealing that decision.

Ms Blake said the Oily Rag has had live entertainment for 47 years and has never had any problems with the police.

She said the committee is now looking into insulation work and fund-raising activities to pay for this.

Ms Blake, who is the committee’s chairwoman, said the club has worked hard to clear a lot of its debt after a new committee was formed in 2008.

She said the club, which is also used by Sebastopol Junior Football Club, two darts teams, a crib team and a pool team, has already stopped opening on a Wednesday and Thursday because of the recession, with volunteers acting as bar staff for most of the week.

Ms Blake said: “We can get a good crowd and we’re still breaking even on a Saturday.

But if we didn’t have music on a Saturday night the club would close. It would not survive on the downstairs takings if the licence goes.”

A spokeswoman for Torfaen council said: “Applications for a review of the premises licence of the GWRSA were considered by the licensing committee of Torfaen council, which decided to suspend the licence pending noise insulation works being carried out at the premises.

“That decision is being appealed by GWRSA. As those proceedings are on going it would be inappropriate for the council to make any further comment.”