WEDNESDAY lunchtimes at the Black Lion in Radcliffe-on-Trent are a busy time.

The pub has been operating a luncheon club for older people for about a month.

Landlady Deborah Badcock runs the club but the idea was suggested to her by Notts County Council.

They have helped out with leaflets and marketing for the Black Lion pub, and two others – the Unicorn's Head in Langar and The Plough, Hickling – but are adopting a hands-off approach.

Maureen Rawson, 71, is part of a group of friends from St Mary's church who attend the club. "It's been lovely. It seems to be good value for money," she said.

The lunch and activities cost £5.

Peter Haynes, 77, and Cath Turnbull, 82, agreed the club offered good food and a chance to catch up and enjoy activities such as quizzes.

The county council is reviewing all of the 500 services it provides to see if they can be delivered differently to help save £150 million over the next three years.

The authority wants to hear people's views on new ideas like the pub luncheon clubs and existing services like day centre provision, as part of its Big Budget Conversation – a consultation to find out how Notts taxpayers want the savings to be made.

The council says an ageing population could add £10 million a year to adult social care and health costs and the review of such services will include the provision of day centres and community activities.

In Radcliffe it seems the scheme is a winner all round.

Villagers are enjoying a get together, the council is paying just £500 in supporting all three schemes, and the pub has a good lunch trade.

The Radcliffe club's clientele are largely from the village, but if a club was set up in a more rural place, the council would consider approaching voluntary groups about transport.

Deborah said: "The lunch clubs are going very well. The customers are loving it and we are very optimistic about its success.

"We are planning to offer bingo and show musicals at the clubs too. I've lived in Radcliffe all my life and I like to see local people becoming part of something, meeting new friends. I think this is a fabulous idea."

The other two pubs are running their clubs once a month.

The council is set to try the scheme in other areas, but in Radcliffe diners were not sure the clubs would be suitable for everyone.

Mr Haynes said: "This is good for us, but if you are disabled or need care you would not be able to come."

He added the council may be facing tough decisions but he would like to see day centre provision retained for those in need.

One woman, who did not want to be named, said the council could not expect pubs to lay on services normally provided by the local authority.

The council will be checking menus before supporting schemes, with an emphasis on local food.

Venues are also checked to ensure they have disabled access.

Pat Tomlinson, of the Nottingham and Notts Pensioners' Action Group, said: "People that can go out and meet do so, and these would be expecting that once a week, but some people like the day centres.

"Pubs are not really an alternative to day centres."

She added the group feared older people would bear the brunt of cutbacks.

Dennis Andrews, chairman of the Nottingham Elders' Forum, said he felt luncheon clubs were a good idea to help tackle isolation.

The forum runs its own club once a month, but he did feel there should be an alternative to day care.

"We need something for people who may have some sort of incapacity problem that need a carer," he said. "They get a change of venue and the carer gets an opportunity to have a day off."

He added: "We have an ageing population and should be increasing spending.

"We've paid into the system for years, I've paid in for 48 years. It should be seen as a right, not a benefit."

Mr Andrews said the council could look at ways to raise its revenue from it services for people of working age.

Labour leader Councillor Alan Rhodes said: "A village hall, community centre or day centre is somewhere people of a similar age and interest can meet and have a chat. Some won't go to a pub."

He said levels of care should not be affected by efficiency savings.

A spokesman for Notts County Council said: "The luncheon club at Radcliffe-on-Trent is an example of doing things differently and helping communities to help themselves. The older people are at the heart of the community and the pub is open for business as normal."

To have your say and for more information visit www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/conversation