The UK-wide campaign to get tenpin bowling going again, with 8,000 jobs at risk in the meantime, has industry unity, says NAMCO Funscape, the FEC operator with strong affinities to bowling.
The company, part of the BANDAI NAMCO Group, operates its games within the bowling sector and recently has added fresh ideas to its portfolio of games and attractions, including escape rooms and adventure golf.
Funscape has 335 employees and seven entertainment centres, but it is only one of a number of industry voices urging the government to get Britain back bowling immediately or risk industry job losses and business closures.
Together with the Tenpin Bowling Proprietors Association (TBPA), UK Hospitality and other bowling business owners, NAMCO Funscape is urging the government to reconsider its position before it causes critical damage to the industry.
Like other tenpin bowling businesses, Funscape has already implemented extensive government guidelines for the hospitality and leisure sectors, to ensure centres are safe and ready to welcome back customers, but while other indoor hospitality and attractions in England flung open their doors on July 4, the bowling sector has yet to be given the go-ahead.
The company points out that in 2019 the industry’s value to the UK economy was £310m. “At the heart of the community, tenpin bowling centres are often anchor tenants in larger leisure and retail parks meaning that they also boost other businesses such as nearby shops and casual-dining restaurants,” stated the company.
“In keeping tenpin bowling centres closed, not only are thousands of families missing out on an affordable, fun activity that they can all enjoy together, but other local businesses also suffer."
It added: "The refusal to allow the low-physical intensity, including game of tenpin bowling to recommence has been met with disappointment and confusion by operators.”
It argues that bowling centres are well-ventilated, large, open spaces, easily adapted for social distancing. Funscape venues average around 25,000 square feet. While bowling balls are made of low-risk material, being non-porous they are easy to sanitise between games.
