A fundraiser has been launched to "save" a cult favourite Southampton nightclub which has serviced the city for decades.

Jesters Nightclub on Bevois Valley Road has started a campaign to help try and battle a repossession notice which has been served for the building.

The matter will go to court, and while owner Alan Green thinks the venue has a good case, the property could be taken back by the bank if it does not go to plan.

The nightclub, which opened in 1989, says it is now "at real risk of closing for good".

A target of £200,000 has been set by those running the fundraiser, which will cover essential operating costs while students are away, to maintain and improve the venue.

It will also try and recoup costs against "some of the biggest financial challenges" in the venue's history, after a loan taken out has had its interest increased to an "unpayable" 35 per cent.

Alan told the Echo that Jesters will close for 12 weeks at the end of this week, as it always does while students are away from university over the break.

"It's usually a bit of a bleak summer, this is why we're tyring to raise the money," he said.

"It's not quite over just yet. The repossession notice gives us the chance to plead our case in court. We're going down fighting."

The news of a potential closure has broken the hearts of former students across the city.

Cam Burns, who started the fundraiser on behalf of Alan, said Jesters is "not just a club".

READ MORE: 'Legendary' Southampton club Jesters could open for longer

"It is a part of Southampton’s DNA," he said.

"It is the first social, the last night out, the best memories."

Kai McKenzie, who frequented Jesters when studying in Southampton, said the "thought of the venue closing down genuinely makes" him "sad".

"It had a unique charm about it that would 100 per cent be missed," he said.

READ MORE: 5 of the best student nights out to enjoy in Southampton

Recent graduate Dan Baverstock echoed Kai, saying he misses the "atmosphere and living nature of the place".

"It would be a shame if it closed down," Dan said.

Cam said that while the club has survived the lasting impact of the coronavirus pandemic and rising costs, the tough economy continues to hit the club hard.

He also said that the venue had acted as a "launchpad" for students and DJs in the past, such as BBC Radio 1's Chris Stark, who used to perform at the club while studying in Southampton.