The protesters gathered outside Sheffield Town Hall

Members of the Central Deaf Club, which is based in Surrey Place, say they cannot afford the proposed increase from �18,000 to �30,000 a year.

Sheffield City Council says it will fund the difference for a year before reviewing the provision of services for all deaf people across the city.

But they say it still leaves them facing an uncertain future and a 5,500-name petition against the plans was handed in at Sheffield Town Hall on Wednesday.

Club member Maureen Sanders told BBC Radio Sheffield: "The bottom line here is that we could lose our building and lose our club premises.

"What is going to happen to the club after that year?

"If we've spent a lot of our money on the refurbishments that need doing, then how are we going to possibly afford �30,000-a-year? That's what they are asking."

Sheffield City Council says its policy is to charge the market rental value of its premises and decided to make the increase following an assessment of the Surrey Place office.

But council leader Jan Wilson said the forthcoming review of services proved they were committed to the city's deaf community.

She said: "It is vital that high quality services for deaf people are available throughout the city, and I am confident that the review will make recommendations to provide even better support in the future."