A community club in Bradford has quashed rumours that it has closed – and insisted the future is bright.

John McTigue, president of Little Horton Unity Club, said a takeover had saved the Spicer Street venue.

“There’s a lot of rumours going round that our club is shutting down,” said Mr McTigue. “That isn’t the case.

“We are restructuring and want to let people know that we are still alive and kicking.”

Mr McTigue said the rumours gathered so much pace that local taxi drivers believed the club to have closed.

He said: “People were getting in a taxi and asking to come here. But the driver would say ‘why are you going there? It’s closed down’.”

The club, which has 500 members, has been brought back from the brink of despair by a company called Minotaur.

Mr McTigue, who has been president for seven years and a member for more than 30, said: “They have come in to restructure the club and keep us on a solid footing.”

Mike Scanlon, of Minotaur, said: “The committee is passionate about the club and the community – and Minotaur is about that as well.”

The club had gone into administration seven years ago, but survived thanks to the hard work of its committee. Now, Mr McTigue wants to see it thriving again. He said: “I would have been devastated if it had gone. We have put a lot of hard work into keeping it going.”

Committee member Rachel Ward has been going in the club for more than 30 years. She said: “We would miss it absolutely if it went. There is nothing round here for us.”