The oldest working men's club in the country is re-opening this weekend and is asking people for money to survive.
Reddish Working Men's Club, also known as Greg Street Working Men's Club, in Stockport, was already struggling to pay off thousands of pounds' worth of debt before the coronavirus pandemic hit.
An emergency meeting was held at the end of last year and club members began coming up with ways to drum up cash.
However, since the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown in mid-March the club has been shut.
Desperate to save the club from closure, committee members have been using lockdown to renovate the building to make it safe and attract customers to visit.
Volunteers have been working on refurbishing the club, adding new carpets, new toilets and a new sign installed.
It is due to reopen on Saturday, with members urging people to visit and enjoy a drink to help secure its future.
An online fundraising appeal has also been launched by a committee member.
The Greg Street Club is believed to be England's first working men's club, dating back to 1857.
It was created for workers in the area who were shut out of their lodgings in the evening and had nowhere to relax.
Ryan Crook, committee member, who lives in South Reddish said: "Over the last few years it hasn't been making enough money to cover the costs.
"It has slowly declined and getting into more debt. Then the lockdown came about while we were trying to drum up more cash.
"We have been busy renovating the club. A few of us have turned up alongside volunteers, coming after work and on Saturdays and Sundays.
"We have put new windows in, flooring down and toilets in, new sign frontage.
"We are opening up on Saturday. Even the postman and BT have been helping out.
"Everyone has come together. If we can get more people through the door we can pay the bill and debts off."
He said a lot of people are fond of the club.
"Everyone in the area wants to get involved," Ryan added. "People are saying 'Give me a ring I can help', they don't want it to shut down. It is part of the area, long before we were here.
"People's dads and grandfathers were members. We want to keep it going. Nobody wants it to go anytime soon."
To make a donation to the online appeal visit gofundme.com.
