Councillors are “thrilled to bits” at the news that a bowling alley will soon reopen in Bishop’s Stortford and hope that it will play an important part in the regeneration of the train station quarter.
Brian and Jane Fraser, who own Bacchus Nightclub, announced last Tuesday (30 January) that they would be taking over the vacant bowling alley at Anchor Street Leisure Park.
The couple plan to transform the venue into a multifaceted leisure destination, complete with virtual reality golf, food court and sports bar, alongside “state-of-the-art”, accessible bowling lanes.
Around 30 jobs — including management, food and drink service and technician roles — will be created at the site, which the couple expect to start advertising for in May.
A July opening is planned for the new business, subject to a license agreement, which Mr Fraser says he will be applying for in around a week’s time.
Reaction to the announcement has been overwhelmingly positive, including that from local councillors.
Norma Symonds, town councillor for Bishop’s Stortford Central, said the bowling alley was exactly what was needed in the town.
She said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to bits, I think it’s excellent news.
“It’s absolutely what the town needs. It was really busy when it was open, so many people used to go there — I don’t know what went wrong.
“I used to be a regular before. I probably will be taking my grandson and my God children when it opens and it will be great for children’s parties as well.”
Mayor Colin Woodward, who is a councillor for the All Saints Ward, said it was “very welcome news for the town”, while linking it to the current success of Bishop’s Stortford’s town centre.
He continued: “This is good news — it has always surprised me that that corner has stayed neglected and hasn’t operated for so long a time.
“The High Street is very buoyant too. There’s normally a number of businesses interested in moving to Bishop’s Stortford but they can’t find the right premises."
Other residents noted that the return of a bowling alley to the town may be a benefit of mass housing developments currently underway, which are often criticised by residents for the strain they may place on local infrastructure.
This was a view that Councillor Ralph Gilbert agreed with, saying: “Anything that gives us some more activities to do in the town is going to be a good thing and obviously the more people there are around, the more there are to do those activities.
“I think it will revitalise the area. A lot of people miss the one that closed down before so a lot of bowling enthusiasts in the town will be very happy.”
The Anchor Street Leisure Park, which is also home to the Empire cinema, was purchased by Kier in December 2017 for £7.85million.
Its regeneration is designed to compliment the development of the Goods Yard site — which Kier is completing in conjunction with Network Rail — and demonstrates the developer’s “continued confidence in Bishop’s Stortford and the wider area”.
The company will now spend £1 million refitting the bowling alley, after negotiating terms with the Frasers during the sale of the park.
They “also renegotiated existing leases to allow future redevelopment” which will give them the “flexibility to pursue a redevelopment or a refurbishment strategy”.
Pip Prongué, Managing Director for Kier Property South, said at the time: “We’re pleased to complete the purchase of Anchor Street Leisure Park.
"As neighbours to the site, we see this acquisition as an opportunity to add value to both this and our current Goods Yard scheme.
“As we continue to expand the Kier Property brand we will continue to look for income-producing stock that has development potential.”
Although some residents have raised concerns about the provision of parking near to the premises, Mr Fraser explained that Kier planned to ensure the success of the leisure park by providing over 100 spaces in the temporary Goods Yard car park after 5pm.
A spokesman for CJ White Associates, who acted as advisors during the purchase of the site, said that Kier were “supportive of the leisure scheme” and that there was an understanding that there would be “sufficient car parking” made available.
Mayor Woodward meanwhile said: “Parking is a challenge there but I’m told the Goods Yard site is due to open soon, which will ease the pressure quite a bit.
“In the evening there should be space for people who are enjoying the bowling and the cinema.”
Cllr Symonds agreed, adding: “A lot of people in Stortford will walk to it. At the minute you have to drive all the way to Stevenage to go bowling.
“People are always worried about the little things, but really it's excellent news and the town desperately needs it.”
