Application lodged over bowling alley

COULD the Westgate Road bowling alley in Newcastle be saved?

A East Boldon firm has bid to take over the licence for MFA Bowl Newcastle.

The bowling alley closed after 55 years in September.

But an application from Trance Ltd has been lodged with Newcastle City Council.

The firm is seeking to transfer the venue’s licence from current holder 1st Bowl Limited.

Little is known about Trance Ltd. Public records show it started in November 2011, and is operated by director Nadeem Hakim.

The Station Terrace firm’s speciality, according to Companies House, is “hairdressing and other beauty treatment”.

The new application, lodged on Wednesday, seeks permission for people to bowl and drink until as late as 1am.

The plans are currently open for consultation.

The Chronicle was unable to contact Trance Ltd, and Newcastle City Council is yet to respond to a request for comment.

The Westgate Road venue closed suddenly, with bowlers having just hours to pick up their kit.

A Facebook video announcing the closure contained the message: “The end of a chapter, the current closure of Newcastle Bowl.”

MFA Bowl Newcastle can trace its history back to 1911 when the premises originally opened as the Brighton Electric Theatre. The 767-seat theatre was converted into a cinema 1947 and 10-pin bowling alley in 1963.