A BOWLING alley in Colchester has apologised after its refurbishment left some wheelchair users lamenting the "bad design" which meant they couldn't access the lanes. 

Members at Ferriers Barn, a day centre for adults with disabilities, in Ferriers Lane, Bures, were visiting the Colchester Tenpin for a 50th birthday celebration. 

But on arrival they found out that lanes had been made smaller after a recent refurbishment. 

Tenpin maintains the site is accessible to most wheelchairs but not those which are "slightly larger than standard." 

Ferriers Barn manager Nikki Goodman said: “We have been here many times, but after the refurbishment, it is not accessible for wheelchair users. 

Gazette:

“Those who need a standard-size wheelchair in our group have always been able to play here before. 

“Small wheelchairs fit, but electric ones, big ones and even normal-sized ones can’t take part in playing anymore. 

“And now we have one of our members, Michele, who can’t take part. Everyone has always looked forward to going here. 

Gazette:

“It is not acceptable to have people completely excluded in these days where there are so many opportunities in Colchester.” 

The group had planned the celebrations around three weeks ago and had not been told about the changes in the lane measurements, Mrs Goodman said. 

The 18-man strong group, including carers, found out upon their arrival at the bowling alley. 

“Staff here were extremely helpful and the refurbishment looks brilliant, but why did it need such a bad design?" she said.

Gazette:

“They could have just made two lanes bigger to make them more accessible and make the rest as small as they are now, but not all of them.” 

Tenpin Colchester, in Cowdray Avenue, underwent a huge revamp and refurbishment which finished in June 2023, where the pre-existing activities and entertainment were updated. 

The site now boasts 20 LED-lit bowling lanes, two high-tech karaoke rooms and a futuristic laser tag arena, with fog and strobe lighting, as well as the arcade and games area, which saw an upgrade. 

Gazette: A man was bottled outside a bowling alley in Colchester

A Tenpin spokesman said: "We did indeed complete a refurbishment to our Colchester site in July last year and gave great consideration to ensure that it is fully accessible to wheelchair users.

"We are aware of the situation that occurred which was extremely unfortunate.  The wheelchair in question was slightly larger than standard and therefore did not fit through the space available.

"We have many regular customers who are wheelchair users, however following this incident today, our property director is already assessing the situation to see if it is possible to reduce the width of the seating to provide additional space."