A Suffolk Conservative Club member has said the club's chair is willing to step down following reports that he was refusing to go, which meant a new committee could not takeover.

The member of the Felixstowe club, based in High Road West, said chair Martin Brown would be leaving the position, but had to follow the correct procedures to hand over to a new committee, which meant the process was taking time.

The handover has to follow rules set out by the club's parent organisation, the Association of Conservative Clubs (ACC) and can take three or four weeks to complete.

READ MORE: Felixstowe Conservative Club has suffered decline in numbers

Last week, this newspaper reported comments by another club member that Mr Brown was refusing to step down so a new committee could come in and had told members that he did not want to keep the club open as he "had no interest in it".

The situation has arisen as the club battles for its future amid speculation that the club is struggling financially and has seen dwindling numbers of visitors coming through the door.

But the member, who did not wish to be named, said: "The chairman is wanting to move.

"He would rather the club be saved. He is willing to stand down. He has communicated that he is willing to stand down. 

READ MORE: Speculation that Felixstowe Conservative club about to close

"It is the speed that he is doing so, which is the issue and people are whispering that he is a blocker, but he is not a blocker. He has to stick to the ACC rules."

This newspaper also revealed last week that either a Special General Meeting (SGM) or Annual General Meeting (AGM) would be held to discuss the club's future.

Charles Littlewood, the ACC's deputy chief executive, said an AGM had been arranged so the club's current committee could step down properly.

READ MORE: Felixstowe news

Elections need to be held to form a new committee to take over.

Originally, the club had been due to shut its doors for the final time on Saturday, March 9.

The members club offers snooker, darts and pool, as well as function rooms available for events, including celebrations and conferences.