TIME has been called at another of York's private members' clubs, which has been sold to a city-based property developer.

The club secretaries at the York City Arms, just outside the city walls in Fawcett Street, which was home to two sports clubs, served their final pint last night.

Mark and June Wellburn spoke of their sadness that the club was closing. The couple took over in January this year and moved into the flat which comes with the club.

Today they are packing up and moving back home to Gillamoor Avenue, in Tang Hall. June said: "Obviously we are very sad about the sale. We have been happy working here and we've been social members of the club for more than 12 years."

The building houses a main bar, disco room, four meeting rooms, a restaurant, office and a flat and has been home to the sports clubs, the York Amalgamation of Anglers and the York City Baths Club, for nearly 30 years.

York-based property company Treat Prefer made an offer for the building earlier this year and contracts have now been exchanged for an undisclosed amount.

The social club was expected to stay open until early next year, but time has been called earlier than expected.

Both sports clubs, which joined forces to buy the once-derelict building in 1976 for £19,000, are now making alternative arrangements for their meetings and are deciding how to invest their profits.

One social member Dennis Hall, of Tang Hall Lane, said he was very sorry the club was closing. "It's a sad day it really is. This place was is part of the community."

The City Arms building was not included in the possible redevelopment of the neighbouring Barbican site by City of York Council because it is a listed building.

The sports clubs do not know what the new owners are planning for the building.

Last week members of Layerthorpe WMC were told by chiefs at Tadcaster's John Smith's Brewery that the club is to close within two weeks.

Updated: 15:37 Monday, September 10, 2001