VIDEO: Bowling club to move as part of new ‘West End’ plans for Horsham

As a precursor to £35m redevelopment plans for Horsham town centre, which include a new Waitrose, the bowling club and other businesses, such as Lifestyle Ford, will be moved with the latter relocating to Broadbridge Heath.

Work has already begun on the new site in Pondtail Road which is owned by North Horsham Parish Council and has a disused bowling green.

Developer Westrock has applied to Horsham District Council for planning permission for a new bowling green, clubhouse, parking and landscaping.

Mike Power, chairman of Horsham Bowling Club for the last seven years, said: “We are the oldest standing bowls club in the town and we would like to continue the tradition we inherited from our original members.”

He added: “Once we have accepted the need to move, obviously we are looking to a new facility here and improvements and the opportunity to recruit new members in a different part of town.”

The club have more than 100 members and hope work will be completed by the end of March 2014.

This February the County Times exclusively revealed Westrock’s plans for a new town retail quarter in line with Horsham District Council’s 2012 town plan.

Mr Power said the club was ‘reluctant’ to leave its home after 107 years, but it did not want to stand in the way that he said was clearly beneficial for the town.

New facilities will see mat bowls in the clubhouse in the winter, better changing rooms and energy efficient buildings to minimise maintenance and running costs.

The club hopes to recruit a number of new members when it moves home, and hopefully some younger members.

For more information visit the club’s website or for those wishing to register an interest call club secretary Simon Felton on 01403 242616.

For Westrock’s plans visit its website .