Rollerbowl 10-pin bowling alley owner pledges to battle to save 30 Inverness jobs as work begins on controversial new £3.1 million Hollywood Bowl venture approved by Highland Council
A city businessman is vowing to fight to save around 30 jobs threatened by Highland Council’s decision to allow a second 10-pin bowling alley to open in Inverness.
Shahid Yusaf, manager of Rollerbowl bowling alley in Culduthel, accused planners of betraying his staff by sanctioning the creation of the £3.1 million Hollywood Bowl venture.
The new “family entertainment centre” at Inverness Shopping Park will occupy premises vacated by the former Everlast Gym and Sports Direct outlet.
The upstairs retail unit has already been converted into an indoor £750,000 inflatables theme park and opened in October.
Building work has now begun on the bowling alley, which is set to open in March 2025. It will create 30 jobs.
Mr Yusaf’s pledge to his own employees comes amid fears the city simply cannot support two such similar ventures, threatening the future of the well-established workforce at Rollerbowl near Inverness Royal Academy.
The businessman, who has run the popular venture for 35 years now, says anxiety will mount in the countdown towards the Hollywood Bowl opening date in March.
“It is obviously deeply concerning now for everyone here, knowing that work has begun and looking towards that opening date of March 2025,” Mr Yusaf said.
“We will do everything in our power to compete, to the best of our abilities and save jobs. I have staff who have been here for the best part of 35 years.
“We hope our loyal customers will stick by us. We shall see!
“We’re hopeful of trying to compete, but the most disappointing thing about all of this is the council granting permission in the first place.
“They are taking what was a good facility away from the public at that location (at Inverness shopping park), which is evident from how so many people have expressed disappointment.
“And they've brought in something that we already have in this area, which is a bowling centre.
“They have allowed there to be two bowling centres when there is just not the population or demand to support it.
“Much as it has been said that there are going to be gains in new jobs, what about all of the jobs that could be lost?
“That’s one of the really disappointing aspects to this.”
The Rollerbowl premises was originally built as an “exhibition centre” for Inverness in the latter 1980s.
Concerns have been raised that if Rollerbowl was to close, it could prove difficult to find a replacement tenant for such a large premises, set apart from other retail sites.
“What they are opening is similar in size to what we have already, so the risk of closure is that there is no jobs gain at all,” Mr Yusaf said.
“We have been part of the community here, paying our business rate for the best part of 35 years with huge investment, giving a great facility in this area of the city.
“For this to happen, it is just so disappointing. I find it difficult to speak about.
“Councils should have a responsibility not only to help create jobs, but to protect existing jobs.
“There has been no consideration at all by the council. It is absolutely ridiculous.
“They took away a very good facility that was already there, with Everlast, with leisure facilities such as the swimming pool which I believe was very good for people with additional needs.”
