Last year (2020) we worked with Rushmoor Borough Council in Hampshire on a feasibility study for a new cycle centre. The market analyis and financial case were amongst the strongest we have ever worked on. We had no hesitation in recommending that the council proceed with the facility.
This year we were forced to the opposite conclusion with regards to a feasibility study for an indoor bowls centre in Aldershot, again for Rushmoor council.
The project was prompted by the closure of Farnborough Leisure Centre and the proposed development of a replacement centre which did not include indoor bowls. We were asked to test the market and financial case for a new centre at the Traction Club, a long established and well regarded sports and social club in Aldershot.
Sadly, a number of factors combined to force us to recommend the council not go ahead with the project. These included the significant decline in bowls participation in recent years, the availability of facilities in nearby Camberley and the lack of external funding from Sport England and the governing body.