"Jim's idea of what a folk club should be would end up with a tiny audience and would die out within weeks"
Given the right circumstances - well sung songs fitting the description you give your club - there is no earthly reason that should be the case - that is the limit of what I suggest - no purism - no banning of accompaniment, no "traditional songs" only...
That formula worked for decades and petered out when it was no longer the case
Wider tastes - you mean you expect jazz clubs to put on grand opera or vice versa
Why make such demands on folk clubs unless you regard folk not worth bothering about - do you ?

A few yeras ago I young man I have now come to know well as a friend, posted on this forum that a group of his contemporaries were starting a singing club in Dublin to cater for young people
I ave to say I bridled somewhat to be excluded because of my age (not the case of course)
Now, 'The Night Before Larry Was Stretched' (abbreviated to 'Larry - thank god) is ranked among the best folk clubs I ahve ever attended
Unnacomanied tradition songs, well sung mainly by young people, some of whom are carving a name for themselves elsewhere
Why can't that happen in Britain/England
The only reason I can think of is that there are too few people who have the confidence in our folk songs any more
Sad, sad, sad
Have I aver said what I enjoy and don't enjoy - don't remember have to any extent, but it's immaterial anyway
I love mid-career Sinatra but I wouldn't want to find it at a folk club
Jim