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Bowling season ticket holders to see price double

Don Mort
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Getty Images Two people wearing white jumpers and grey trousers stood on a bowling green. One is wearing white trainers and the other is wearing smart black shoes. They are facing away from the camera and their bodies up to their shoulders are in shot. They are facing the direction of a set of bowls on the green. Getty Images
The cost of adult season tickets will double, rising from £45 to £90

Bowls players will see the cost of season tickets double after councillors voted to go ahead with a shake-up of crown green provision.

Fears were raised of elderly people and families being priced out of the sport after the move was proposed by Leeds City Council.

The Labour-controlled authority, which must slash more than £100m from this year's budget, first planned to close 30 greens.

But the council decided to go ahead with raising user fees so more greens could stay open.

Adult season tickets will rise from £45 to £90 and clubs will be required to cover their own electricity and water bills, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

These changes are expected to happen by the end of 2025 and clubs would need a minimum of 20 paying adult members to stay open.

It would see a £140,000 saving, planned for 2025/26, spread over two financial years.

Laura Fulleylove, from Harehills Park Bowling Club, said a family of four would have to pay £270 per season, which they would "absolutely not" be able to afford.

"We are going to decimate this sport because there's going to be no grass roots available," she said.

Handout Laura Fulleylove holding two award shields while standing on a bowling green. She is wearing glasses and a black cap, as well as a dark-coloured polo shirt and black trousers. Houses and trees can be seen in the background. Handout
Laura Fulleylove, secretary at Harehills Park Bowling Club, is against the price hikes

Opposition councillors asked the council's environment, housing and communities scrutiny board to refer the revised proposals for reconsideration.

Social Democratic Party councillor Wayne Dixon said at Leeds Civic Hall on Wednesday that the proposals could see more greens closed down than originally planned.

Independent member Robert Finnigan added that increased fees would hit elderly people already paying more for council tax and household bills.

"It disproportionately impacts on elderly people. There are alternatives that this board can consider," he said.

Labour's Mohammed Rafique said Leeds had one of the best crown green provisions in the country.

He said: "I'm confident that following the consultation and the work we are doing, that will still be the case."

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