Local history: Emlyn Hughes bowls ‘em over at Lakeside Superbowl

It’s been nearly two years since it shut its doors for the final time, but today we’ve been reminiscing about the opening of the Lakeside superbowl.

The bowling alley was officially opened in Lower Way in 1992 by former England footballer Emlyn Hughes.

The leisure facility was packed with guests on the Saturday morning to see Mr Hughes unveil a plaque to celebrate its opening.

The week had seen a number of schools, charities and businesses enjoying the 24-lane centre and raising money for good causes.

The Newbury Weekly News Over 80s’ Parcel Fund was one lucky recipient of the money raised.

Guests at the opening included Newbury's MP Judith Chaplin, Newbury mayor George Baker and Thatcham mayor Bob Judge.

And the bowling alley remained open to the public every day of the year, except Christmas Day, until it was forced to close in March 2020, due to the Covid pandemic.

The NWN was then back to witness people enjoying a game of bowling once again when it reopened after the easing of lockdown restrictions in England on August 15.

At the time Bob Rae, the managing director of BDZ Group – which acquired the alley in 2018 – said his staff had waited a long time for that day to come.

But by early 2021 it had closed its doors again – this time for good.

The site is currently derelict.