Bowlers face eviction

PENSIONERS face eviction from their Seaford bowling club if they cannot raise 25,000 for a council rent demand.

Members of the Downs Indoor Bowls Club are up in arms at an ultimatum set by Lewes District Council.

They have been told they must stump up the cash if they want to keep their indoor green at the Downs Leisure Centre. The council says it has given the club a year to sort out its finances and can generate up to 33,000 from the hall if the bowlers go.

But the big problem for the club, which is largely made up of older folk from Seaford, Newhaven, and Peacehaven, is where to find the extra money. One hundred and eighty members each pay 100 to use the club facilities, which are available seven days a week from October to March. The 18,000 income leaves a shortfall of 7,000.

Club secretary Nick Hopkins said: 'Members are angry. They are really sick about it. They think the council won't take any notice of them because they are old people. The club is the only leisure activity and sport they have. If you are an old person in Seaford there is not a lot else for you to do.

'The council says it can make a lot more money than we are paying for our bowls hall. How they think they can I do not know. We make no demands on leisure centre staff, we run it on our own, we even paint it.'

In order to meet the rent demand, and take into account fluctuating membership, club subscriptions would have to be increased by 50 per cent to 150. Many members could not afford it.

As a result a club which acted as a lifeline and a hub where people could meet up with friends would be lost, said Mr Hopkins. He added: 'It is everything to some people. Some members who can afford it and have transport will go to Denton Island in Newhaven, but for others it will be a huge blow.'

Peter Crowley, head of Community Leisure which runs the Downs Leisure Centre, said there was no suggesting a rent increase. 'We have never asked them

for an increase. They are paying a rent of 25,000. The club has recently offered us 18,000 for the coming year. We wrote to them a year ago, on the basis of a district valuer's valuation which valued the property significantly higher at 33,000.'

However, he had struck a deal to keep the rent as it was.

He added: 'We pay for the cleaning, maintenance, repairs and heating and electricity of the room. The bowls club has had a year to work on new members and the viability of the club. We cannot afford to take 18,000, which is 15,000 less than the valuation of the premises.'

Club members will meet Mr Cowley and Lewes District Council chief executive John Crawford to discuss the future of the club at the Downs Leisure Centre on Tuesday at 7.30pm.