Leisure venue to open tomorrow after being bowled over by bank support
A North Yorkshire leisure venue that offers ten-pin bowling, snooker, children’s soft play and more says it has plans in place to install social distancing measures when it is able to reopen on 1st August, after securing support from Lloyds Bank.
Matrix Superbowl in Sandylands Business Centre, Skipton has eight bowling lanes and is a popular location for children’s parties, but it was forced to close its doors on 20 March.
With no income, owner Paul Cochrane, who took over the business in 2010 and acquired the premises with Lloyds Bank support in January this year, had to furlough his 14 staff.
Thanks to a £50,000 Bounce Back Loan, a government-backed initiative designed to support businesses affected by COVID-19, and a mortgage holiday, Matrix Superbowl is set to reopen in line with government guidelines.
Paul said: “We’ve been consulting with environmental health officers and we have plans to put social distancing measures in place for when we reopen.
“We are looking forward to seeing all our customers again soon and want to reassure everyone that government guidelines will be followed at all times to ensure the safety of all of our visitors and staff.
“The support we’ve had from Lloyds Bank means we can keep paying our bills during lockdown and ensure our employees jobs are safe.
“The bank has worked very effectively and efficiently in supporting my business during these difficult times and couldn’t have been more helpful.”
Matrix Superbowl was founded in 2000.
Kimberley Whitley, relationship manager at Lloyds Bank, said: “Matrix Superbowl is a popular and well-run business and I’m happy to have been able to help it secure the support it needs to get through lockdown.
“We were able to put this funding in place within two days, providing peace of mind to the owners and their staff.
“Lloyds Bank is working closely with business customers right across the UK to guide them through this challenging period and help them access the support that’s available.”