BOWLING clubs very often lie at the heart of their local community. Not only on the green, where people aged eight to 80 can play against one another socially and competitively (how many sports can attract such a broad range of participants?) but more so off it, by allowing non-members and community groups the opportunity to book their clubhouse – usually for free – for events ranging from christenings and retirals to fundraisers and meetings. The bar takings from these compensate for the significant loss of income during the off-season.
In March, when hospitality venues were ordered to close, bowling clubs duly complied and were thankful for a small business grant from the Scottish Government. Without it, many would have closed their doors forever. Some did, more will.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon issues full lockdown warning if five level rules not followed
“Life should not feel normal,” said Nicola Sturgeon. And it didn’t. For when greens and clubhouses eventually re-opened in the summer, many members stayed away for fear of contracting the virus. Many struggled financially due to reduced earnings or unemployment. Many simply missed the lack of competitive play.
In early October, when hospitality venues in the five health board areas of Ayrshire and Arran, Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lothian, Lanarkshire and Forth Valley were ordered to close due to a significant increase in Covid-19 cases, again bowling clubs complied. Albeit wearily.
However, they were buoyed by the announcement of a Business Closure Fund which offers grants of up to £4310 for “hospitality and other businesses required to close (except for takeaway) by these new and extended restrictions.”
Bowls Scotland encouraged member clubs to apply. Several in the City of Edinburgh Council area were successful, however many (if not most) in the other areas were not. The reason given by Falkirk Council being that “bowling clubs are not eligible for this grant.”
Appeals have been lodged, but frustration is growing.
How can a licensed premise such as a bowling club be expected to survive if it is instructed to close and yet not compensated for doing so? How can a club in one council area qualify for a grant and yet another in a neighbouring area not? And going forward, what confidence can clubs have in the recently published Scotland’s Strategic Framework, which promises “a grant of £2,000 or £3,000 (depending on rateable value) for business required to close by law, payable every four weeks for the duration protective measures are in place”?
Times are tough enough for bowling clubs without the Scottish Government and local authorities making them even tougher. Therefore support for hospitality businesses forced to close should be extended to all clubs which operate as a licensed premise – regardless of where they are based. Failure to do so runs the risk of closure.
Here’s hoping appeals do not fall on deaf ears.
Peter Alexander
Falkirk
WHY is it that some of those who are anti-independence are so quick to scorn, dismiss and denigrate other people’s views? At my local Yes group (Yes Dalkeith and district) we have been holding a series of Zoom meetings on topics such as “A new currency for Scotland”, “How to use your second vote” and “A written constitution”.
These have been excellent, engaging with people from the comfort of their own homes. We have advertised these on Facebook and we have had some anti-independence people come on to the chat and quickly comment negatively and often irrationally. It is like a red rag to a bull. Is there a psychologist out there who could venture why?
Ed McCabe
Edinburgh
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here