Volunteers behind a 100-year-old social club that once hosted Houdini fear they are just weeks away from closing its doors permanently.
The Brighton and Hove Sports and Social Club, in Lewes Road, is down to its last £15,000 due to dwindling membership figures and rising costs.
Its secretary Sandra Wood has said the current situation has left her "mental and physical health" in a bad state and it is even affecting her family life.
The club once played host to Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair and magician Harry Houdini - but now the team will be lucky to welcome 40 guests on a typical Saturday.
Sandra said: "We are non profit making and the prices we have in here are some of the lowest you will ever find in Brighton for drinks."
A pint of lager costs just £4.30 in the bar - open to its 350 members on evenings and weekends for a range of classes, clubs and events.
But only around 100 people use the club on a regular basis, said Sandra. "We are not getting supported. People do not know we are here.
"I'll speak to the bar manager and ask what he's taken over the bar and it's just not enough to survive. We just don't know where to go from here."
The huge site is hidden behind a small doorway on Lewes Road, next to the Pelicano coffee shop. It spans two storeys with a dance floor taken from the former Regent Dance Hall on the site of the Boots in Queens Road.
"Everyone is amazed when they walk through the door. It's like the Tardis in here."
But the door could close for one last time as soon as next month as the club is down to its last £15,000 - donated by an anonymous member.
Sandra added: "If this place was to close, a lot of people would lose their lifeline completely. They have nowhere else to go, stuck in their homes looking at four walls rather than being able to get out and socialise.
"I would be devastated. The reason I keep fighting is for the people that come here. We are going to be here right until the very end."
The dwindling membership has been put down to the "current economic climate", according to treasurer Denise Jerram. She said: "A lot of our older members might be relying on their pensions only, and they can't spend any more money than they need to."
She also fears that local businesses such as takeaways will be hit by the potential for closure too. "We don't have a kitchen facility here so we invite members to use local businesses to get their their food."
The club and its property require some £6,000 per week to stay afloat, giving just two and a half weeks until their pot of money goes dry, but the social club still has hope. Bar manager Keith Noquet said: "In 1999, Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club were playing at Withdean Stadium. I think they were in Division three and looked like dropping out of the league.
"They are now one of the most financially stable teams in the premiership and are in Europe for the first time.
"This is the inspiration for us."
It is hoping to raise interest through new events and an open day on August 20.
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