Working men’s clubs should have their rent subsidies reinstated by Northampton Borough Council to keep them open, Labour has said.
The ruling Conservative administration decided last year to end grant of discretionary relief against National Non-Domestic Rates in March 2012.
The action came into force on April 1 but the Labour group claim opinions of club members were not properly sought and the consultation was too short.
Northampton Labour group leader, Terry Wire, said: “The consultation into this was poor and more should have been done to involve Working Men’s Club in the town.
“Many Working Men’s Clubs needed the Special Discretionary Relief Scheme to keep them viable.
“If Labour takes control of Northampton Borough Council in 2015 we will look seriously at re-introducing this Special Discretionary Relief for Working Men’s Clubs.
“Our Working Men’s Clubs are at the heart of many communities and provide a real neighbourhood focus for those that use them.”
A consultation took place from November 19 to December 3 2012 and the cabinet agreed their new scheme on December 19.
A spokeswoman for Northampton Borough Council said: “We are living in an uncertain economic climate, and a key part of our budget was to make savings while protecting frontline and keeping council tax low for residents.
“We have looked at everything we do, and how we can best serve the people of our town. We had offered a small discretionary business rates relief to working men’s clubs that was not available to other pubs and clubs.
“The potential saving to the council is £70,000 this year, and this is money we feel can be better used helping our most vulnerable residents.”