Stamford Indoor Bowls Club will remain closed after Government introduces tier system

Stamford Indoor Bowls Club's hopes of opening again this year have been dashed by the latest Government Covid-19 restrictions placing the town and the South Kesteven District Council area in tier three.

With the whole of the county of Lincolnshire being subject to these restrictions from December 2, it means that all 11 indoor bowls clubs in the county must also remain closed.

It's a sad blow to the officials and members of the Stamford club whom, under Covid-secure regulations including its current face coverings and social distancing regulations, had hoped its bowlers might continue their league and social bowling programmes at least until Christmas. Hopefully then it might re-attract those members who failed to join in September.

However, even with the Government re-considering its tiered system on December 16, the club has decided that even under tier two it would not be financially viable to re-open.

Club chairman Keith Rippin said: "The possibility of re-opening was dependent on the tier level in which we were placed.

"In tier three, it means we are legally obliged to remain closed as organised indoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes cannot take place apart from disability or educational purposes and supervised activity for Under 18s.

"The position will need to be reviewed at some future point but at a meeting of the management committee it was felt that, because under tier two it is only possible to operate with families or bubbles, it is not financially viable to open at that level either.

"I would like to thank all directors, management committee and members for their support during this challenging time for the club and for the work taken to make the club as Covid-secure as possible.

"As soon as we are able to re-open again, we will and that work will not have been wasted."

For more information visit www.stamfordindoorbowls.co.uk