Ready to be bowled over (From Stroud News and Journal)

Ready to be bowled over

BOWLING fever is about to hit Stroud, with the opening of the long awaited 10-pin alley next week.

General manager John Wark is hoping to bowl over Five Valleys residents with the centre, which comprises of 16 bowling lanes, pool tables, a cafe bar, a function room and amusement machines.

It will be one of the first parts of the new Merrywalks centre to open. "It's been a long time coming," said Mr Wark.

"I'm definitely pleased with it. When we took it over on July 4, it was just four walls and a roof.

"It's certainly come a long way, the 16 colourful bowling lanes, which can take 96 people, are an impressive sight."

Mr Wark was keen to stress that the centre will take a hardline to prevent underage drinking.

"This is a family based business," he explained.

"We really don't want yobs hanging around, we won't be serving underage drinkers and we won't be a youth club."

Bowling International is a family run business with one other branch in Coventry, which won the Best Traditional Bowling Centre award in 2004.

The cafe steers away from stereotypical bowling centre food, offering paninis, hot dogs, sandwiches and baguettes as well as fresh coffee.

A full lane service will also be available, and the company is hoping to receive a licence in November to allow the bar to remain open until 1am. The centre opens at 10am on Thursday, September 29.

*Wilkinson and New Look are opening at Merrywalks tomorrow (Thursday).