Solent Social Club in Lee-on-the-Solent sees £90,000 facelift

The Solent Social Club, 66 High Street, Lee-on-the-Solent. Picture: Google Maps

The Solent Social Club in the High Street is putting the finishing touches to the five-figure facelift.

The improvements have seen the installation of new skylights, an often requested feature from the club’s 500 members, according to entertainment manager Keith Russell.

He said: 'We had a major refurbishment at the beginning of February.

The new skylight installed in The Solent Social Club as part of £90,000 improvements. Picture: The Solent Social Club

'One of the building's issues is that it can be a bit dark, and one sunny days people wanted more sunshine.

‘It's looking good – it’s like the sun's come back.’

Already club members have taken to social media to praise the venue’s bright new decor.

One said: ‘I'm pleased this has at last happened, we wanted skylights at the last major refit some years back, but for some reason it was rejected.

‘It’s looking good – new toilets and lighter decor – well done the committee.’

Traditional members clubs need to invest to ensure they can attract younger punters who are used to more modern bars, according to Keith.

He said: ‘Some of the clubs have been to are not very nice - they are very old fashioned.

‘They need to offer more to younger people.

‘Lee does have a lot of older people - but it also has a lot of young people too.’

But The Solent Social Club - which grew out of the Lee-on-the-Solent Working Men’s Club - retains its traditional sense of community, according to Keith, its committee is looking forward to welcoming back regulars when the club reopens in May.

The refurbishment, which was agreed during a meeting last September, follows a rocky 12 months for the club, with trade plummeting 75 per cent and increasing uncertainty meaning that five stuff members had to be let go.

He said: ‘It was sad to see them let go. They were really great staff – they knew all the customers and mixed with everyone well.

‘I hope that some of them will be able to come back.’

The Solent Social Club will return with its usual itinerary of pool, snooker, and darts teams, as well as regular events including bingo and meat raffles.