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Members muck in to save raid club
A popular social club has reopened its doors after regulars and locals agreed a plan to save it.
Tearful staff believed they had pulled their last pint at Ingol Labour Club, Whitby Avenue, when it shut at 8pm on Sunday.
The club had been left with a 4,000 bill after burglars raided the building on February 19.
But a crunch meeting was held on Monday night and around 35 members attended and agreed to pull together to help the club reopen on Tuesday.
They are now gearing up to use their expertise to carry out repair work as well as decorating and cleaning.
Jaime Chadwick, manager, said: "The people that robbed and burgled our club brought it to its knees.
"The community has all rallied together. It's been a fantastic response.
"There's been so much support for the club. We're putting a list of repairs together that need to be done.
"There are people offering to work for free."
Thieves smashed a door and vending machine, stole a 42-inch LCD flatscreen television worth 800, cash from two fruit machines and a cigarette vending machine.
In a bid to slash costs, the number of staff has been cut from six to three and the bar will now stock one lager and two bitters instead of a choice of six.
And the club will now open later on weekdays – at 4pm on Mondays to Thursdays and 3pm on Fridays.
The mum-of-one, who has worked there since last June, said: "The wage bill was extremely high.
"The other three members of staff I can't take back at the moment were fantastic as well.
"I thought it was all over. For it to have turned around in 24 hours – I can't put into words how grateful I am."
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Weather for Preston
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Light sleet
Temperature: -3 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
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