A grandmother who has been taking her family bowling for years has expressed dismay at the closure of the only bowling alley in Bracknell.
A grandmother has expressed her dismay over the closure of Bracknell's only bowling alley, Hollywood Bowl, which shut its doors in October.
The popular venue, located in The Point building, is now vacant, joining the Odeon cinema and Pizza Hut, which also recently closed.
Linda Goddard, 72, from Binfield, has been visiting Hollywood Bowl for over 20 years, enjoying family outings and local club events. She feels the range of activities for children and families in Bracknell is declining.
"All we’ve got is more flats, where more people are coming who need local entertainment, and all we’ve got is flats and restaurants,” she lamented. “What are kids meant to do, roam through the night?”
Linda mentioned a promise made for a new bowling alley at the former Bentalls site, called The Deck, but plans were delayed and ultimately scrapped in October 2023. The John Nike Leisure Centre has also been closed since March 2020.
She said: "They said there would be a bowling alley at the old Bentalls site. They promised a new cinema, but all we keep seeing is more flats. The ice rink and ski slope have gone; now there's just a cinema. It’s not easy for people without a car to get to Reading or Wokingham.”
While Wokingham Superbowl has been open since 2017 and a new Hollywood Bowl in Reading opened this summer, she questioned the available activities for children in Bracknell, despite the presence of Coral Reef Waterworld and Cineworld.
Reflecting on her experiences, she noted, "Hollywood Bowl was always heaving, full of laughter and families interacting. Now, we can't do that locally.”
As a member of The Jubilee Bowling League, Linda mentioned some members have dropped out due to the distance to Wokingham. "Every birthday, bowling was my treat, and it was always a full house. I’m just so upset about it all," she said.
Bracknell Forest Council responded to inquiries about family-friendly activities and the possibility of a new bowling facility. Paul Bidwell, cabinet member for economy and regeneration, clarified that both The Point and Bentall sites are privately owned, and the council has no promise to provide a new bowling alley.
He added, "While the council welcomes new leisure opportunities, they are typically provided by developers and landowners. Besides Cineworld and Coral Reef Waterworld, there are various activities like a leisure centre, swimming pool, Play World, Downshire Golf Complex, parks, and youth clubs available in Bracknell Forest."
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
