Crossword Genius

After long time, clubs in New York providing service (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

agency

'service' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'after long time clubs in new york' is the wordplay.
'after' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'long time' becomes 'age' (an age is a period of time).
'clubs' becomes 'c' (abbreviation in card games).
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'new york' becomes 'ny'.
'c' going within 'ny' is 'ncy'.
'age' next to 'ncy' is 'AGENCY'.

'providing' is the link.

(Other definitions for agency that I've seen before include "Office or business of one who does business for others" , "Business that conducts business on behalf of others" , "Government office" , "Business that conducts business on behalf of another" , "Bureau; instrumentality" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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