About The Tenpin Bowling Proprietors Association

The TBPA was formed in 1961, in response to the rapid development of tenpin bowling in the UK.

Since then we have grown considerably as an organisation and are now firmly established as the trade association for the tenpin bowling industry in Great Britain.

Our aim is to represent the interests of our members whilst promoting tenpin bowling and raising its profile throughout the country.

Our current member companies have a combined total of over 2,000 bowling lanes in the UK and through implementing our codes of practise aim to offer a high level of customer service and bowling experience.

A brief history of our role in UK tenpin bowling

Since forming our trade association, the tenpin bowling industry in the UK has experienced some highs and lows.

The boom enjoyed in the 1960’s proved short lived and the 1970’s was a particularly difficult time for the industry in this country with almost two thirds of the bowling alleys that had been around in the 60’s having to close down completely.

With the introduction of automated scoring systems, tenpin bowling enjoyed a renaissance in the mid 1980’s which continued throughout the 1990’s and right into the new millennium.

A large factor in this breakthrough has been the development of many out of town entertainment complexes with restaurants and cinemas etc which has helped open up tenpin bowling to a whole new leisure market.

By working closely with third party companies, The Tenpin Bowling Proprietors Association has played a significant part in the ongoing popularity of bowling in most major towns and cities across the country.

Get in touch with us now if you require any further information.

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Latest news

SAGA Magazine Offer
50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Sir Henry Cooper and Ali Bastion attend media event to celebrate 50 years of UK Tenpin Bowling.
2010 - A SPECIAL YEAR FOR BRITISH TENPIN BOWLING
20th January 2010 marks the 50th Anniversary of Tenpin Bowling in Great Britain

Featured Venue

Lets Go Bowling Barnstaple

The all new Let’s Go! The very latest technology has completely transformed the old Superbowl at Pottington, on the Braunton Road which has undergone a £1m refurbishement. Extended to cover two storeys, the complex now has updated ten-pin bowling lanes, a synthetic skating rink, private karaoke party pods, a new snooker and pool club and for, the first time in North Devon, a Burger King restaurant for eat-in, take away or drive-through. At Lets Go! the ten-pin bowling lanes have been totally overhauled and now offer the latest automated bumper control system. If a family is playing together the updated technology will now recognise whose turn it is, electronically raising the bumpers for children and lowering them again when a parent bowls their ball. All the new facilities are centred round a triple-aspect sports bar with huge screens. The highly-advanced ICE-Y-BLUE skating rink, built in Germany and the first to be installed anywhere in the UK, is precision engineered to provide an even gliding surface, and is fully environmentally-friendly. The new rink provides a superb experience for beginners, those skating for fun and for more able skaters, who would be able to pick up real speed on the market-leading synthetic surface, easily recognised by its ice-like, very pale blue colouring, made of very high molecular weight polyethylene. It gives skaters a realistic `ice-like’ experience without the downsides associated with real ice, such as the usual cold and damp, or wet knees. It is certainly not to be confused with the traditional `jigsaw’-style jointed rinks that are erected temporarily for Christmas shoppers. At Lets Go! Italian-designed Roces skates will be provided as part of the hire charge. These are in a ski boot-style, with quick fastening buckles as opposed to the traditional lace-up skates and are easy both to put on and to adjust. In another first for North Devon, Lets Go! has installed the latest high-tech Karaoke party pods. The principle is a simple one. Instead of annoying all the other guests in a venue when singing Karaoke, partygoers can now hire their own private room with all the latest equipment, and atmospheric lighting to get them into the mood to sing to their heart’s content. Waitress service is available for drinks and there is access to the latest chart-topping songs. The party pods are ideal for daytime birthday parties, girls’ nights out, and stag and hen parties, and come in a range of sizes from small groups of five to a large party of up to 25. The Lets Go! snooker and pool club has brand-new world championship quality snooker and pool tables. The exclusive members’ club is designed to offer keen players the best snooker and pool environment in the area. Maximum privacy can be assured if members wish to play behind closed doors. The Huge Screens HD Sports Bar has a total 15 different sized screens showing a variety of live sports programming, ensuring you can see your facourite sporting event as it happens. Aside from the usual large TV monitors, the venue will use up-to-the-minute HD wide screen projection equipment to three six-foot wide screens to make it feel like you are actually at the sporting venue. Lets Go! is now open, with bookings being taken on 01271 321 123.

            

www.letsgosuperbowl.com