BBC update on threat to Leeds bowling greens

Bowling News

Things may have gone quiet in Kirklees regarding the proposed cut-back of maintenance of Council owned bowling greens but things are hotting up in Leeds. Greens there are under a real threat as previously reported on these pages. The latest move sees bowling prices double for this year with no promise of a long term future for Council owned bowling greens. The BBC recently reported on this new development.

BBC NEWS

Bowls players will see the cost of season tickets double after councillors voted to go ahead with a shake-up of crown green provision.

Fears were raised of elderly people and families being priced out of the sport after the move was proposed by Leeds City Council. The Labour-controlled authority, which must slash more than £100m from this year's budget, first planned to close 30 greens. But the council decided to go ahead with raising user fees so more greens could stay open.

Adult season tickets will rise from £45 to £90 and clubs will be required to cover their own electricity and water bills, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

These changes are expected to happen by the end of 2025 and clubs would need a minimum of 20 paying adult members to stay open.

It would see a £140,000 saving, planned for 2025/26, spread over two financial years.

Laura Fulleylove, from Harehills Park Bowling Club, said a family of four would have to pay £270 per season, which they would "absolutely not" be able to afford. "We are going to decimate this sport because there's going to be no grassroots available," she said.