Cotswold Bowl could reopen as rock 'n roll alley
THE only bowling alley in Cheltenham could re-open, with a new disco theme.
Cotswold Bowl, in Swindon Village, closed its doors for the final time last month after 15 years in business.
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More than 10 leagues ran at the site, in Swindon Lane, and bowlers now have to go to Gloucester or elsewhere.
However, the manager of Bowl Xtreme, in Worcester, has said he is looking at taking over the site, which could be open as soon as August.
Terry Thompson said he was "80 per cent sure" he would be taking on the lease to the site.
He said although the new complex would be aimed at adults in the evenings, the alley would be child-friendly during the daytime.
He said: "Plans are in the final negotiations to open in August. All lanes will be brand new, with the latest equipment and graphics.
We will have 16 lanes instead of 24 – that is the way we run it in Worcester and it has proved successful.
"It will be a children's venue every day until 9.30pm. After that, they will be welcome to stay if accompanied by an adult aged 16 or over."
The alley would boast a nightclub, pool tables and restaurant, along with a suite for private functions and parties.
John Westcott, who used to play at the Cotswold Bowl, said he now travelled to Worcester and welcomed the interest in reopening the Cheltenham venue.
He said: "I just hope the cost for pensioners will remain the same as it was in Cotswold Bowl. It will be a case of waiting to see what it is like when it reopens.
Some bowlers have expressed fears that the new-style venue might not be suitable for families.
John Allinson, who was president of Cotswold Bowl's old Sunday night league, said teams might not bowl at the venue even if it reopened.
He said: "We have strong reservations that this complex doesn't appear to be geared towards a family atmosphere."
Mr Allinson, who sits on the committee of the Youth Bowling Club, added: "This won't be an appropriate venue for YBC. It sound like a nightclub first and a bowling club second."
Despite the concerns, Mr Thompson said he was confident of attracting young bowlers to the new venue.
He said: "It is a load of rubbish to suggest the alley will be nightclub orientated. We have no objection to league players. All our lanes are certified for league matches."
The venue's fixtures and fittings are being updated to meet health and safety requirements.
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by Ian, chelt
Sunday, March 21 2010, 7:50PM
“Sorry to see yet another business go under due to the recession,I'm not to sure about the age limit of 16 being acceptable to accompany minors after 9.30 pm.My family and everyone I have spoken to about this were hoping it was going to become an ice rink as Gloucestershire is crying out for one.Good luck to the new owners but please make sure there is sufficient sound proofing in place to cope with the loader music levels as it would be a shame to be shut down like other venues for non compliance to noise levels.”
by colin, gloucester
Saturday, March 13 2010, 9:25PM
“as an employee of terry thompson i have visited bowl extreme in worcester and think it was a brilliant setup catering for all age groups young and old.my visit was very enjoyable experience and my son enjoyed himself aswel i will be lokking foward to this one opening”
by Inspector Gadget, Cheltenham
Saturday, March 13 2010, 11:56AM
“How about a lap dancing club/bowling alley?”
by nigel, cheltenham
Saturday, March 13 2010, 2:22AM
“the best idea i think is to knock it down get the local council and private sector on board and build a ice ring with bowling center,childrens soft adventure land, bar, restaurant, and make it a multi entainment center. i would invest if i had the money even manage the project if people in places got behind the project cheltenham have been screaming out for this in years.this would not only be a good investment and make profit but it would also have somewhere for cheltenham teenagers to go and enjoy life instead of hanging round the streets !!!! the people of cheltenham need a investor and the local council plus govement to get with todays demands of what people need in our town.”
by laura, worcester
Friday, March 12 2010, 10:57PM
“Bowlxtreme is where me and my family regularly go.It is fantastic for kids and the food packages and resturant are better than any other bowl as they have full time chefs and quality local ingrediants. It is clean and tidy and the staff are all very helpful/ Love it.”
by Paul, UK
Friday, March 12 2010, 8:11PM
“I agree with Chris, the management there had a real attitude problem. Hope we get better people running a disco bowl”
by Wayne, st pauls
Friday, March 12 2010, 7:10PM
“Will I be able to roll my cheese down the alley when it re-opens?
If not then it is just part of the ever increasing Americanisation of this country.
Why not build a skittle alley, ban children, allow smoking and sell alcohol between 11-2.30 and 6-11.”
by Chris, Chelt
Friday, March 12 2010, 4:07PM
“Cotswoldbowl.co.uk you can have that for a small fee, only got bought as the manager of the place annoyed me and was clearly running the place into the ground. Kicked out of the bar because our bowling game had finished an hour ago !!”
by Ed, cheltenham
Friday, March 12 2010, 3:57PM
“Are you lot thick, even people that have been to the bowl extreme in Worcester have said it¿s a very nice place, it has bowling food games machines and pool, the only difference is that over the weekend, they turn the music up and it¿s aimed towards older people, it doesn¿t turn into an all night rave people still bowl end of. iv visited the one in worcester and its just a bowling alley nothing to be scared of.”
by Cheltenhan Cynic, Chelt
Friday, March 12 2010, 3:52PM
“Isn't this another way of sneaking yet another night club in via the back door?”