The future of a Walsall working men’s club has been secured after it was bought by a brewery.

Pleck Working Men’s Club, in Pleck Road, was bought for about £250,000 by Richmond Breweries Ltd after it was put into receivership four months ago due to falling membership.

It has remained open for business and the sale means it will continue to operate as a going concern. It is the latest social club, once the domain of factory workers, to accumulate debts due to dwindled support for its activities.

The sale was handled by Nottingham-based accountants Mazars and estate agents Colliers International.

Paul Maloney, of Mazars, said: “The club has been sold to operate as a licensed premises.

“This will secure its future.

“It went into receivership in February.

“There was a fall in membership and it was unable to pay its debts.

“It remains open as licensed premises.”

Pleck ward representative Councillor Dennis Anson, a former member of the club, said residents were in the dark over the situation.

“I was aware it had been up for sale and there had been issues with lack of use, but that’s about it,” he said.

It was sold about a year to 18 months ago, but it was recently put back up for sale again, he added.

A weekly indoor auction event is held at the premises, which has a 30-space car park, on Thursdays.

Community groups to hire its function room for meetings include Alumwell Neighbourhood Watch.

Another organisation, Chuckery Working Men’s Club, was put up for sale earlier this year after going into liquidation.

Once popular with workers from Walsall’s Chamberlin & Hill foundry, it has ceased trading after 85 years after hitting financial problems because of dwindling support for its activities in recent years.

The building and grounds, in Lincoln Road, were put on the market for about £240,000.