A LAST-DITCH effort to save Southend’s Ironworks from closure has been launched as bosses pleaded with supporters to sign up to a new membership scheme.

The Ironworks, in Southend High Street, is set to close for good on Thursday, after failing to raise the funds needed to remain open.

Now founders of the community centre, Ami and Natalie Solomons, have announced one final scheme to raise the cash needed – a silver, gold and platinum scheme.

If 100 residents sign up to each tier of the scheme, it will “raise enough money to almost cover the rent for the whole building for a year”.

Natalie said: “This is our last chance, we came up with the idea and the reaction has been quite fantastic.

“Pret a Manger and Costa do it, so why are we not doing it? It gives us security and it is not asking people for money for nothing.

“We like the idea, it will take swift action to make it happen because this system must go into place, this is our last chance.

“We are fighters, and we are trying, we have invested so much love and so much effort to see the Ironworks happen, this is a testament to those who use the Ironworks.”

The silver tier will cost £5 a month and allow free entry to the venue and one free event ticket per month.

The gold tier, worth £10, will include the same as well as a workshop table and free coffee.

The top tier – platinum –also includes free tickets to all events, two free trade stands and 25 per cent off all kid’s club events.

Natalie said: “The idea of having membership is to make it like a co-op, everyone can buy into it and it is a vested interest, it would guarantee we can cover our rent and we can have the place for longer.

“On Thursday, between 3pm and 7pm we will be hosting a big event, with the message being solidarity and remembering the year and a half we have had in business.”