Legion committee agrees plan to attract younger clientele

A concerted effort will be made to attract younger patrons to the Lerwick Legion and help address the social club’s image as “an old man’s pub”.

Members at last night’s annual general meeting agreed to establish three new sub-committees aimed at attracting more people through the doors.

A sports committee will highlight social events – traditionally darts and pool tournaments – while an entertainment group will focus on musical gatherings. Finally, a membership sub-committee will actively seek ways of attracting new members to the club.

The evening also saw a new committee elected.

Joe Hanlon was appointed chairman, while fellow-member John Best has become the club’s new president.

Gordon Irvine is the new vice chairman, and Bob Boston was elected as club secretary. A number of new members also came onto the committee, giving the club a 14-strong membership. 

The developments follow recent speculation the legion may close because of a lack of trade.

Those rumours were dismissed by Mr Boston, although he admitted the club had suffered a drop in customers. It’s hoped last night’s decision should help reverse the downward trend.

Mr Boston said the club “unanimously” wanted to remain open, and was committed to moving ahead with its plans for the next year.

“It’s all hands on deck now. We are going to have sports and entertainment committees, and we are looking at getting our membership up.