Bowlers reveal £250,000 plan for Craven Arms clubhouse

Plans for a £250,000 bowling clubhouse in Craven Arms have been submitted to Shropshire Council planning chiefs. Craven Arms Bowling Club members want to flatten their current clubhouse.

The plan is to replace the building in Clun Road with a new one capable of hosting functions.

The scheme has won the backing of Craven Arms Town Council. Shropshire Council has already pledged £20,000 from the Community Buildings Fund.

Simon Brown, of Simon R Brown Building Design, said the new building would sit comfortably in its surroundings but have additional features including a skittle alley.

He said: "The current building is a prefabricated timber structure which is very poorly insulated and in a general bad state of repair. Also the size and layout of the building restrict the many uses that the venue could possibly accommodate.

"The new building has been designed to provide facilities to enable the club to host private social gatherings and entertainment for visiting bowling clubs. It can also be used as a meeting place for other invited parties.

"The new building has an improved bar and kitchen area, new accessible toilets, and a function viewing area with room for two snooker tables and a skittle alley."

Builders want to construct the building with a timber frame, clad with traditional style weather boards and a slate roof. Emphasis will be placed on erecting a low maintenance and efficient building.