Job losses as city bowling alley shuts

Bugsy's Canterbury centre has stopped trading

Bowling fans have been left disappointed after the city's only bowling alley Bugsy's was shut. 

The popular leisure attraction, located on St. George's Place, had its last night of trading on Sunday 6 March. 

CT Online understands around 20 employees have lost their jobs.

The deserted centre 

The centre, which had been open for 16 months, is part of a family-run business operating under the name LMP Leisure.

The company operates a second Bugsy's in Cliftonville, Margate. 

A sign left in the window at the centre read:

“Due to a dispute with the landlord it is with much regret that Bugsy’s Ice N Bowl will no longer be trading.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this will cause our customers.”

Bugsy's was popular among students in Canterbury for its discounted prices and offers. 

Kieran Evans, 21, a customer service advisor at the centre said: “I feel sad and disappointed at the way it was handled. We weren’t told what was going on, we didn’t have a clue, it just happened. It’s sad to see it gone because it has been fun working there.”

Employees were initially told that the centre had been burgled and that it would be closed until further notice.

Bugsy’s was issued with a bailiff notice dated 7 March and CT Online understands that the building's contents were repossessed shortly after. 

Hannah Plewis, former manager of the Canterbury branch of Bugsy's wouldn't reveal the exact circumstances surrounding the closure but had this to say: 

Bugsy's manager speaks by mariasoleil

The future of the centre remains uncertain.