£1 a year Dawlish bowls club deal is a 'win/win'

Move unlocks funding streams for 'enthusiastic' club

Bowls players in Dawlish have been given the keys to their clubhouse for a bargain £1 a year.

Dawlish Marina Bowling Club has a new 28-year lease on its base at Sandy Lane for less than the price of a loaf of bread a year, But in return the club will take the responsibility for maintaining the building off the hands of Teignbridge Council.

The deal will save the authority around £7,500 a year, while at the same time opening the door for the club to apply for grants to improve the greens and clubhouse.

“I’m thrilled about this,” said Cllr Linda Goodman-Bradbury (Lib Dem, Dawlish NE). “It will make such a big difference to a lot of people.”

The council’s executive committee gave the deal its unanimous backing after hearing the club had had a lease on the buildings since 1996, paying £2,500 a year.

The council had the option of keeping the arrangements as they were, but officers said this would not only frustrate the club’s ambitions but also carry on costing the local authority money.

Cllr David Palethorpe (Lib Dem, Ipplepen) said: “This is excellent news. It is a clear demonstration of what happens when organisations and the council work together to find common ground.

“It will allow the club to develop and enhance the clubhouse and facilities.”

And Cllr Goodman-Bradbury added: “They are such an enthusiastic group, and this is a win win for us.”