I think that Betsy is right, the smoking ban has undoubtedly contributed to the pubs plight.....it is certainly not the only factor but there are half a dozen of the old regulars who use the pub a lot less now than they did, due to not being able to smoke in the bar.
We use what was the dining room as the concert room, this would have been non-smoking on club nights anyway BUT there is a big difference between popping into the bar for a smoke and having to outside on a freezing cold night.
The Village Hall is an option (I have it provisionally booked for John Conolly on June 21st in case the pub shuts its doors earlier than currently being discussed, but for this night at least people would need to bring their own booze). We would have a few months in it at most though as it is due to close for a major extension and renovation project (we will be running some folky fundraisers for this!). It will be a fantastic resource when it is completed (full stage/lights/sound) but it would set back the club's development while this is being completed.
The Village Hall is also totally unsuitable as a venue for our weekenders.....the pub has 2 bars and the concert room making it perfect for multiple activities within a single event. There is also the question of cost, we get the pub room for free (indeed the Landlord subsidised the first couple of club nights so we could build up some funds) we have to pay for the village hall on an hourly rate.......this pushes you down the path of booking bigger names to attract enough people to cover costs and though I want to do this sometimes, I also want to present lesser known acts who deserve more attention....how else do new people get exposure?
I have no doubt we could sell out/ nearly sell out The Village Hall every month if we booked the sort of acts you do at Faldingworth (good luck to you, I'm not knocking this but it is not what we want to do every month). Reeth (about 15 miles from here) do a very similar thing and also do very well numbers wise.....but they can't afford to put on good quality but not well known acts. We played Snape Institute (a very large village Hall again about 15 miles from here)on Friday night and had over a hundred in which was great for Wendy but if some smaller venues/ clubs had never given her a chance......and what happens in other parts of the country where no one knows her?
I'm sure we will adapt to whatever venue we end up with (there are another couple of options) but I like gigs in pubs....they generally have more character and a warmth (and better beer!) than you don't get in village halls.
You say we will have little influence on decisions around the pub....I disagree, even if Phil goes there are apparently other interested (mad?)parties. They need to see that the folk club is a potential money spinner for them...hence the request for support on June 21st....it makes them more likely to take the pub on and more likely to keep the folk club on if they do take over the pub.
I also feel better for getting that off my chest, please excuse the rant!