THE race is on to save Stourbridge’s Royal British Club which looks set to close imminently unless “a significant cash injection” can be found.

The club building in Enville Street has long been a place for veterans of the armed forces to meet up in a safe environment and a HQ for dedicated Stourbridge branch volunteers who co-ordinate the town’s poppy appeal.

However, financial difficulties mean the club looks set to close “unless some miracle happens” – deputy poppy appeal co-ordinator Nigel Smith said in a Facebook post yesterday (Wednesday).

The Royal British Legion Stourbridge Branch later confirmed on its Facebook page that members had been forced to vote to close the club, which boasts a bar and function room as well as housing armed forces memorabilia, having been unable to resolve a “difficult financial situation they inherited”.

Following a meeting on Wednesday evening (April 17), Keith Evans, vice chairman and community support officer Royal British Legion Stourbridge Branch, told the News: “A new committee was put in place some weeks ago, but despite their valiant efforts, the club will have to close if a significant cash injection is not received immediately.”

He added: “The Royal British Legion Branch, the charity, are saddened that the hard work of the current club committee has not been able to avoid this predicament, and are working closely with them to save the club, the home of the Stourbridge Royal British Legion.

“The club has been pivotal to the day to day running of The RBL Branch for almost 70 years, and a communal hub for generations of veterans, their families, and the people of Stourbridge. Its closure would leave a void within the Stourbridge community at a time where cohesion and support have never been more important.”

He said a last-ditch appeal for funding has been launched and he urged any benevolent individuals or businesses wishing to donate to help save the club to contact the branch’s new finance manager Tony Harrison on 07870 215975 or to email RBL.Club.Stourbridge@gmail.com.

Mr Evans said a crowdfunding” page would also be launched imminently and he added: “Should people wish to donate to the club please do not direct these funds to The Royal British Legion or poppy appeal, as this is a different organisation.

“The Royal British Legion Stourbridge Branch continues to function as always and is available to support those veterans and their families within the Stourbridge area.

“As community support officer I am contactable on the following email - Stourbridge.ViceChairman@RBL.Community – any time.”

Meanwhile, deputy poppy appeal co-ordinator Mr Smith announced he had resigned from his voluntary role helping to organise the town’s annual collections ahead of Remembrance Sunday saying he and the appeal co-ordinator would have no room to store poppy appeal items such as collection boxes without the HQ building.

He issued a plea for anyone keen to take over the role to get in touch, adding: “If no poppy appeal organiser is found there will not be poppies in the Stourbridge area.

“It's sad it's come to this especially after all the great support the people of Stourbridge have given but it is a big task and you do need space to store everything.”