Bowlers are celebrating after the Etherow Centre in Broadbottom has been saved from closure.

The centre, latterly branded by Active Tameside as Active Etherow, has offered indoor bowling through the autumn and winter for 10 years but was due to have its doors closed, alongside Active Ashton and Adventure Longdendale. 

The bowls community, however, decided to step in.

Ed Mountfield of the Manor Park club in Glossop and one of a small committee formed to make the bowling community’s case, explained: “While bowls is a sport in its own right and is played competitively, its clubs and leagues fulfil a far more important role, mainly for the older people drawn to the game by its inclusivity. 

“The Etherow Centre is a place to meet, socialise and, of course, play through the long winter period and is a lifeline for many of the people who attend.

“In addition to our normal long mat bowling, we will also be offering short mat bowling throughout the year. This exciting new development will secure the financial future of indoor bowling at The Etherow Centre.”

The community’s cry for help was heard, both by local councillors and The Etherow Centre Charitable Trust which has been responsible for the management of the former railway warehouse. 

Longdendale councillor Jacqueline Owen has been campaigning to keep the centre open, she said: “I’m ecstatic, I’ve been working hard with the bowlers and we have done our best. We are now signing an agreement that the Etherow Trust will run the club for the next six months.” 

Cllr Owen also expressed her feelings on why it’s so important to keep places like Etherow open, “it’s a lifeline for people, residents have said it keeps people going because it gives them a purpose … young people also come to the centre from places like Glossop and Marple especially as it’s in such an accessible place just off the train route”

Director of the centre, Gwyn Davies, said in a statement: “The Etherow Charitable Trust can confirm that agreement has been reached with Active Tameside and Tameside MBC and the contract will be finalised in the coming week. Our message to all our indoor bowlers is that the indoor bowling leagues will commence in October as normal and we cannot wait to welcome you all back to The Etherow Centre.”

A spokesman for Active Tameside said: “We are extremely pleased to hear that long mat bowling will continue at the Etherow Centre thanks to the negotiations directly between Tameside Borough Council, the Kingfisher Trust and key stakeholders.”