Bowling alley supporters refuse to be split by Lidl
GoogleCampaigners have refused to give up their battle to save a bowling alley, used by Team England members, which is set to be replaced by a supermarket.
Lidl wants to open a store where a Namco Funscape venue is located in Bowthorpe, on the outskirts of Norwich.
It has been there for decades, and city councillors had rejected the discount store's application to prevent the "loss of a community facility".
But government officials overturned this on appeal, and now locals want to protect the site by making it an Asset of Community Value. Lidl has been approached for comment.
The venue, off Barnard Road, has 30 bowling lanes, an arcade, a cafe and a separately owned pro shop selling bowling equipment.
The purpose-built alley opened more than 30 years ago and is used by bowling squad members from Team England.
Namco Funscape previously said the company's lease on the building was due to end in 2027, and the decision on its future was up to the landlord.
ReutersBefore the application came before Norwich city councillors last year people raised objections, stating there were already enough supermarkets nearby, including a Roy's, an Aldi and a Sainsbury's.
Roy's and Aldi lodged formal objections, as did Waitrose, which has a store in Eaton.
Government officials from the Planning Inspectorate intervened after Lidl appealed against the application's refusal, and ruled it should go ahead.
The inspectors said: "Although the existing facility would be lost, there are other facilities within reasonable travelling distance of the existing venue", adding the supermarket would also bring economic benefits.
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However, an application has now been made to grant it the status of an Asset of Community Value.
It is yet to be decided, but the designation can help stop the change of use of certain buildings, such as pubs becoming housing.
But the planning process for it to become a supermarket is already at an advanced stage, having gone through both the local council and the government.
The council will make a decision on the application in the coming weeks.
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