A 100-year-old working men’s club is to close this week in the face of a cash crisis.

Insolvency experts from Begbies Traynor have been called in to oversee the winding-up of Newsome Working Men’s Club.

The club – well known as a venue for Huddersfield snooker finals and Yorkshire bowls competitions – will close on Friday.

Members will attend a meeting at the club premises at 7pm on Thursday, February 20, to vote on whether to put the club into liquidation.

The family-friendly club, which is more than a century old, has about 250 members and boasts a variety of social and sports amenities, including crown green bowling, snooker and pool.

Huddersfield man Peter Sargent, partner at insolvency firm Begbies Traynor, said the club had faced “accumulated losses” over the past three years along with falling membership levels, which had led to serious cash flow problems.

He said: “It is sad to see the end of such a long-established and well-loved community facility with its excellent bowling green, but the club is simply no longer financially viable.”

He said that on the positive side, the club had some valuable assets so it was likely that all creditors would be paid in full.

“With its clubhouse and bowling green, there are a number of options available to optimise the value of the site,” said Mr Sargent.

“Some members would like to form a new bowling club and this is certainly a possibility, depending on market interest in the site.”

Mr Sargent said: “There will be a distribution to the members but the amount will depend on paying the creditors and how much the site sells for.”

Property agent Walker Singleton in Halifax has been appointed agent for the site.

Mr Sargent said it was hoped the club’s bowling section would be granted a licence to continue using the county-standard bowling green while the site is up for sale.

Club secretary Dales Oakes said all pubs and clubs had been hit over the past five to 10 years by declining trade – made worse by the smoking ban and cheap supermarket beer – and that Newsome WMC was no different.

He said declining membership had made it very difficult for the club to stay afloat.

Members had agreed unanimously at a meeting earlier this month that closure was the only option.

Said Mr Oakes: “For a century, this club has been the hub of the village and many great times have been had here.

“I would like to thank everyone who has been involved with Newsome WMC over the years. It will be a very sad day when the shutters come down on Friday.”