Staying shut has hit us hard in the pockets, say snooker hall owners

SNOOKER hall bosses say they can’t wait another month to reopen.

Lockdown rules mean they must stay closed until their area enters Level 1, expected to begin on June 7.

Michaela Tabb, the first woman to referee in professional snooker, took over Pockets in Paisley last year but is yet to open. She said: ‘Our industry has taken a huge hit. We’ve not been told what we have to do to be able to open. There are owners out there who have spent good money on ball-cleaning machines, cleaning sprays, table sanitisers.’

A group of 17 owners from across Scotland has urged Nicola Sturgeon to look into the matter, hoping for financial support and saying that the size of halls and tables can guarantee social distancing.

The Scottish Government said: ‘Snooker halls were eligible for [funds] and will have now received restart grants.’