Decision on bowls club's future in leisure centre plans deferred

COUNCIL ASKED TO LOOK AGAIN AT THE FIGURES AFTER 'LIFELINE' FACILITY WAS DEEMED UNVIABLE

- By LAUREN MONAGHAN Local democracy reporter

THE future of Gedling Indoor Bowls Club remains “vulnerable” after a decision over its inclusion in leisure centre redevelopment plans was deferred.

In September 2025, the future of the club was left in doubt following a decision by Gedling Borough Council’s cabinet to no longer include it in its plans to replace Carlton Forum Leisure Centre and the Richard Herrod site with a new building.

Under the plans, a new Carlton Active leisure and community facility would be built on the Richard Herrod Site, which could include an eight-lane swimming pool and teaching pool, a 100-station gym, community rooms and a café.

At September's cabinet meeting, the authority decided to offer what was described as “non-financial support” to the club, for members to look for options to relocate, due to financial reasons. Up until that point, the Richard Herrod-based club, that has been running since 1987, had been considered in the redevelopment proposals.

It has 330 members and a petition was presented to the council in a meeting on Wednesday, signed by 1,021 people at the time of submission, calling on the authority to “reinstate, retain and protect” indoor bowling within plans. The petition now has 1,181 signatures.