MEMBERS of Havant have been devastated by news that the indoor club is to close.

Officers took this sad decision after the club’s landlord Horizon Leisure Trust withdrew the rent concession on the premises which the bowlers have benefited from since 2005.

This means that in future the rent and service charges would rise from £54,000 to £86,000 a year, a sum which the club would be unable to meet. In view of that the club is to be wound up.

In a letter to Havant’s 300 members, Richard Galloway – chairman of the club’s trustees – said: “The rent will revert to the full amount as from May 1.

“We will be unable to meet the financial demands of the lease and we have reluctantly concluded that we have no alternative but to close the club.

“This is a sad day for all of us who have worked so hard to keep the club afloat and I thank you all for your contribution to our club.”

The club was conceived and designed by Havant Borough Council as a public bowls facility but because of financial restraints on councils these days it was hived off to HLT who have now decided that as a bowls club it is not financially viable and HLT can put the premises to more profitable use.

Galloway added: “At the end of the day there is not much we can do about it – HLT don’t think we have got a future and they can do much better with the facilities. If the landlord takes this decision we either find the extra money or we go – and if we don’t go they will take legal proceedings.

“A very valuable facility to the people of Havant is being lost and I think the majority of our members will pack up playing bowls.”

Neighbours Victory this week suggested that Havant bowlers could be incorporated into the Portsmouth club. Talks are expected to be held between the clubs.