REGARDING the story Friends Facing £60K Bill Misery (November 16) in which ordinary people (three trustees and the steward of the now-closed Promenade Working Men's Club) were taken to court for costs after the developers had loaned the club some money and were to build them a new club.

The deal fell through, the club could not pay back the money, and so the club was pursued under a clause in the loan agreement.

Proceedings were then started by the developers to recover their costs from the people above.

The club paid them some money for the costs but, with the club having no money left, the developers claimed against these four people, at least one of whom had some assets.

These people have now been ordered to repay the developers £60,000.

In my opinion, this is rough justice. Here are four people who, via the members of the club, engaged solicitors to draw up their leases etc, thought they were doing everything right by their club rules and yet ended up having to pay these large costs.

I am pretty sure most developers' finances will be better than these four unfortunate people (two pensioners and two middle-aged people) who will now have a financial headache for some years to come.

Members, officers or trustees of social clubs please be wary.

Keith Allen,

York City Branch Club & Institute Union Ltd,

Park Grove,

York.

Updated: 10:58 Friday, December 09, 2005