FEARS have been raised over concerns older people could be left isolated if a popular indoor bowls club in Bournemouth closes.

BCP Council have confirmed they are 'pausing' the bowls operation at Bournemouth Indoor Bowls Club, claiming the impact of the cost of living crisis on council finances.

However, the decision left many users with concerns about the toll it will take on residents who use the centre to keep fit and socialise.

The Bowls Club has been open since 1995 and has around 147 members who compete nationally.

Read more: BCP Council to buy lease for King’s Park bowls centre

BCP Council bought back the lease in 2021, with deputy council leader, Phil Broadhead, saying at the time the local authority was still “committed” to hosting bowls from the centre but that the purchase was a “strategic opportunity”.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, bowls club member, Jillian Bryant said: “The council says the problem is that they're not making enough money. Since the council took the club over they've stripped so many things we need to use.

"Our little office, they've taken that, they've taken the pigeon holes that we used for communication between members and they closed the cafe all through the summer when we run summer leagues.

“We’ve got a lot of elderly people, they come in, they enjoy their bowls, they enjoy the company, it's somewhere for them to come rather than be sat at home on their own, they can get a hot meal and warm drinks.

“The latest we heard from the council is that they’re going to ‘pause’ it, whatever that means, so they might shut it for a while and then open it again.

“It's going to take a toll on some of the older ones because this is their life and they're just going to be sat at home and therefore it's going to put more onto social services and they're struggling as it is so from their point of view this is a silly thing to do.”

Councillor Jane Kelly, portfolio holder for communities, said: “Just as we’re all looking at our household outgoings and deciding how we can budget for an uncertain future ahead, so too is the council.

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"The cost of living is affecting fuel prices, food, and energy, and this equates to the fuel for our bin lorries, streetlights, and the resources that keep our most vulnerable adults and children safe.

“Club membership at Bournemouth Indoor Bowling Club is lower than we anticipated it to be, and with the rising costs associated in maintaining this offer we have taken the decision to pause the bowls service at the centre whilst we consider the longer term use of the bowls area."

She said while the council understood it was disappointing for the members, they would continue to support them with memberships at other clubs in Christchurch and Poole.

The Skills and Learning service, along with regular room hirers, including the Mini Monkey Gym classes, will not be affected by this closure. Their services will continue to operate from The Kings Park Activity Centre as normal.

Ward councillors Bobbie Dove and Lawrence Williams said they were "sorry" the well-loved facility would be closed.

"However, we note that this is a temporary pause and look forward to the outcome of the considerations on long term use."