Fresh discussions held over future of closure-threatened Bromborough Bowl

Jun 29 2011 by Lorna Hughes, Bromborough and Bebington News

BROMBOROUGH’S bowling alley could find a new home after protests over a controversial plan to close it.

The owners of the Croft Retail Park last month announced proposals for a £7m redevelopment of the park’s leisure area, which would see The Bowl replaced with a family restaurant.

It said The Bowl was “operating in an increasingly competitive market.”

Furious bowlers organised a noisy protest calling for a rethink – saying the closure would be a huge blow to young members of the award-winning Bromborough Young Bowlers Club (YBC) and other groups who regularly use the lanes.

Representatives from the park’s owners USS, the operators of The Bowl and Wirral South MP Alison McGovern met on Monday morning to discuss the future of the site.

A source said nothing had been “ruled in or out” over The Bowl’s future.

It is understood that relocation is one of the options being considered.

In a joint statement they confirmed: “At the meeting all parties agreed to work towards creating a sustainable future for both the future of tenpin bowling locally and for the retail and leisure businesses on the Croft Retail Park.”

Bowlers said they would welcome any plan that kept The Bowl open – as long as it remained in Bromborough.

Bromborough YBC instructor Dominic Finnigan said: “I’m pleased we’ve made them aware that people do care about the centre.

“I saw people from one of the special needs leagues in tears when they found out it might close.

“A lot of people felt that it didn’t sit right that the big brands like KFC, Greggs and Subway were being relocated but the only independent operator wasn’t.

“If they can keep it within Bromborough we will fully support them.”

USS (Universities Superannuation Scheme) also wants to upgrade and reduce the Odeon from 11 to seven screens, create a dedicated foyer and refurbish the exterior.

It says the changes to the leisure area of the park would create 65 new jobs.

Bromborough Councillor Steve Niblock said: “I understand parties are continuing to hold talks and I hope there can be a resolution that provides bowling in the Bromborough area.”