trout Posted April 17, 2007 Report Share Posted April 17, 2007 It's sad to read, but also interesting in a comparative way to note that Orkney's bowling alley in Kirkwall has had to close due to a lack of patrons. Being a much vaunted addition for many to Shetland's "lack of things to do" - would Shetland actually be in any different a position? Bowling alley closes for good this weekend ORKNEY'S only tenpin bowling alley is to close for good this Sunday night with the loss of four full-time and four part-time jobs. . . . . . Powerbowl opened seven years after a public petition was raised locally, which attracted 5500 signatures, calling for a tenpin bowling alley to be established in Orkney. . . . . . Sales during the past year have been disappointing and, quite simply, there has not been enough customers coming through our doors on a regular basis to justify continuing. . . Read more @ http://www.orkneytoday.co.uk/news_item.asp?newsItem=1561 I'd be interested to understand further what they meant by "We have made great efforts to try to turn the business around, including a largely successful attempt at tackling the youth issues, but results were insufficient to prevent our decision.", which sort of reads that rowdy youths meant people were kept away?! Anyone have more of an insight into Orkney dynamics to clarify what that statement means? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wheesht Posted April 17, 2007 Report Share Posted April 17, 2007 To me it appears simple business logic. I have been in the Kirkwall facility many times and it was never very busy. They have/had the bowling, many of these annoying (popular nonetheless) gaming machines, pool tables, cafe and bar. It is very central in Kirkwall with good parking at the door yet despite all that it has proved to be simply not viable. Why? Because like Shetland the population is simply not big enough to sustain it. Even if every person with an intrest in bowling went twice a week that is not enough out of a population of 20,000. The OIC have been proved right not to back the venture with public money. When did we in Shetland ever apply that type of thinking before spending millions on these type of council backed projects? If we can't learn from our own mistakes then maybe we can learn from other people's mistakes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peeriebryan Posted April 17, 2007 Report Share Posted April 17, 2007 ^ I read that too, and thought of previous campaigns in Shetland to open a bowlling alley. As a youth at the time, I was never interested in the idea, and I'm glad the money wasn't spent I wonder how many patrons the Clickimin bowls hall has? I've never seen anyone using it. Money well spent? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trout Posted April 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2007 The OIC have been proved right not to back the venture with public money. When did we in Shetland ever apply that type of thinking before spending millions on these type of council backed projects? Indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Styles Posted April 17, 2007 Report Share Posted April 17, 2007 ^ I wonder how many patrons the Clickimin bowls hall has? I've never seen anyone using it. Money well spent? Must be the only forward thinking by the Councillers, as after getting all their golden goodbyes they now have some where to hang out with their spare time as their will be no more free trips etc. But honestly I never see anyone useing it and it takes up so much room, surley it could be used for somthing else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fjool Posted April 17, 2007 Report Share Posted April 17, 2007 Only time I see the Clickimin bowling hall used is when it's covered over and the space is used to host some kind of exhibition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breeksy Posted April 17, 2007 Report Share Posted April 17, 2007 I have seen it used (for bowling), when I have been going to meetings in the Bowlers Bar, seems to be used fairly regularly - and its great that the space can be used for things like wordplay etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frances144 Posted April 17, 2007 Report Share Posted April 17, 2007 I have always hankered for an ice rink! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMouth Posted April 17, 2007 Report Share Posted April 17, 2007 I have always hankered for an ice rink! ...and how do the horses feel about this Frances? 8O Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frances144 Posted April 17, 2007 Report Share Posted April 17, 2007 Dunno, I'll ask them....... ..... they said they don't mind! Now, please can we have one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heimdal Posted April 17, 2007 Report Share Posted April 17, 2007 The admission charge at the Kirkwall alley was in the order of £20. At that sort of rate a family visit would be a once a year occasion, if that ; Dad, Mum, and three children £100 I'm not surpised it has gone out of business. It's just not viable with such a small customer base. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
max Posted April 17, 2007 Report Share Posted April 17, 2007 Even if every person with an intrest in bowling went twice a week that is not enough out of a population of 20,000. Sorry if my first post is a peerie bit off topic....but couldn't this logic be applied to the cinema & music venue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted April 17, 2007 Report Share Posted April 17, 2007 I have always hankered for an ice rink! ...and how do the horses feel about this Frances? 8O Wow !! Its Frances the talking mule Erm i'll be bowling along. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Njugle Posted April 18, 2007 Report Share Posted April 18, 2007 Even if every person with an intrest in bowling went twice a week that is not enough out of a population of 20,000. Sorry if my first post is a peerie bit off topic....but couldn't this logic be applied to the cinema & music venueBad max! Naughty naughty! But seriously, welcome to the forums, get stuck in and if you wish feel free to revive the CMV thread which is HERE as nobody's been around them parts for a wee whilee, i suppose most folk are just resigned to acceptance now. *ducks* Anyway, i'm with Frances on this one, as i stated on a thread so old i can hardly bring myself to resurrect it, i think an ice-rink would be most splendid, and have many beneficial uses, sport, leisure and entertainment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Njugle Posted April 18, 2007 Report Share Posted April 18, 2007 Only time I see the Clickimin bowling hall used is when it's covered over and the space is used to host some kind of exhibition. I've seen it used regularly, but unlike most of the centre it doesn't seem to get used 'randomly'. It is a good exhibition space and i was surprised during the Guitar festival to find it's a cracking peerie music venue too, which would be undermined if the CMV goes ahead.....oops, drifting....rapidly... off... edge of topic..... .... .. *thonk* yup fell right off it. curses! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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