I've just called and spoke to a nice friendly night manager, he told me the lounge is indeed closed and the Members breakfast room now is the lounge. So it's back to the Covid stuff a year ago. A real shame...

Hotels have to stop this, you can't just cut back willy nilly when occupancy is obviously low, its January! They know they can get away with it. No QA.
When I was there last year the lounge wasn't even staffed during the day, check-in/check-out wasn't offered, it was replaced by a sign directing guests to call.

I've cancelled my stay.