ONE of the south's premier social venues has just received planning permission for an ambitious £1m refurbishment plan.

The Concorde Club in Eastleigh has been a favoured haunt for tens of thousands of members and visitors during its 47-year history, with a fully deserved reputation as one of the south's best entertainment and dining clubs.

Innovation has played a key part in its ongoing success, and its extensive refurbishment plan is the biggest project the club at Eastleigh has undertaken since the launch of its 35-bedroom hotel in 2000.

Ellington Lodge has been an enormous success both with business travellers and members alike.

Club managing director Cole Mathieson said: "Our latest project has been designed to ensure that the club reflects changing times and tastes and appeals to the full cross section of its membership and tastefully enhances the venue's atmosphere and ambience.

"Work will begin in November but disruption to the club's packed programme will be kept to the minimum. It should be completed in the spring."

Plans include a complete refurbishment of its facilities including bars, stage and air conditioning as well as new cloakrooms and toilets.

The popular restaurant and Moldy Fig wine bar will both be extended, including the addition of an al fresco dining area at the secluded Stoneham Lane gardens.

This will all be fronted by a redesigned reception area to better serve both the club itself and the Moldy Fig.

The club offers its members a wide range of entertainment from dancing to the latest chart sounds, a wine society, supper club and ladies' business club, as well as opera, cabaret and celebrity speaker evenings.

Some events are open to non-members too, including the legendary International Jazz Night, which is a huge draw for jazz fans.

It also caters for events such as conferences, seminars, business meetings and corporate dinners.

Membership has always been a much sought-after commodity and these changes and alterations mean that the club will release a limited number of memberships - available to over 25s only - this autumn.

The Concorde Club was established in 1957 and moved to its current home in Stoneham Lane in 1970.

For more information about the Concorde Club's entertainment programme call 023 8061 3989.