Bowls shock

Perdiswell Bowling Club, in Droitwich Road, provided entertainment for more than 450 Players were mortified to learn yesterday that it had been unexpectedly closed with immediate effect.

The site's manager, and its owner, Ray Lloyd said the club had not been financially viable and that they now had ideas for a bowling centre of another kind.

A 10-pin bowling alley, a restaurant and a possible dance floor are in the planning stages.

But that has done little to appease the site's former users.

Mark Atkins, aged 40, has been a member of the club since it first opened.

He said that, for many people, bowling there was a major social event.

"I was one of the younger members and have others things to occupy my time, but not everyone does," he said.

"Everyone received a letter yesterday announcing it was now closed. We are all shocked and dismayed - the news has come completely out of the blue.

Janet Dunderdale, secretary for the club, said everyone was "up in arms."

"There are a lot of very unhappy people at the moment, but it is a private company and there is nothing we can do about it," she said.

"That doesn't stop everyone being up in arms about it though."

Daniel Tilly, who has managed the site for the past six years, said it had been a tough decision.

"I have been running the site at a loss for the past few years and it was getting worse," he said.

"Unfortunately we have taken the decision to close it and have given members their money back.

"There are plans for a new entertainment centre, which I think will be more financially viable."

Mr Lloyd said it was with great sadness he had agreed to close it.

"I built the place in 1987 and I am shattered about this, but unfortunately it was running at a loss and I had to accept the decision of the manager," he explained.

"I have had people phoning me to express their anguish, and I do feel sorry for them, but the decision has been made."