BURNLEY Football Club's Caf Claret is to close because of lack of custom from fans.

The caf, at the Turf Moor Leisure Centre, opened when the facility was refurbished to coincide with the multi-million pound development of the Jimmy McIlroy and James Hargreaves stands in 1997.

But despite attempts to encourage more supporters through the doors, takings are still down and the doors will close for good on November 1.

The club is now considering a number of options for the future of the space and has said it will endeavour to find other jobs within the club for the five staff.

Bev Todd, of Rossendale Clarets, said: "I've been in there a few times and thought it was OK, but the fact that it's closing down won't make that much difference.

"If it was losing money, then I say get shut of it and spend the money on something more important, like players."

Tony Scholes, of the Clarets Independent Supporters' Association, said: "I've only been in once.

"I think it was used more by people going to the gym and leisure centre, but it was never in the best place to catch passing trade."

A club spokesman said: "We have attempted over a number of years to make the Caf Claret an income stream for the club, but with the best will in the world that just hasn't happened.

"We will all be sorry to see it go, but we cannot continue to run at a loss with this facility.

"We would like to thank all the fans who have used the caf since its inception and also like to thank the staff who have worked at the facility.

"For those who were regular customers at the Caf Claret on match days, the club would like to reiterate that the Clarets Foundation Bar is always open before the game, when there is a question and answer session with a former player every week, as well as re-runs of the previous match.

"The bar is free to Clarets Foundation members and for a small fee to non-members."