BOSSES at a popular Largs bowling club say they are facing a cash crisis as a result of a coronavirus membership slump.

Halkshill Bowling Club in Largs has returned to action after lockdown - but only a handful of regulars have so far returned to the greens.

Based in the heart of town in Wilson Street, the club, which includes a full indoor bowling rink, as well as bar and conference facilities, has been left counting the cost of the pandemic.

Income of around £200,000 per year has disappeared because of the enforced clubhouse closure, with the committee unable to host its annual array of birthdays, dances and dinner functions.

Secretary Alan Rodger explained: "While it is great to be back and playing outdoors, it has been very hard.

"The majority of people in bowling clubs are elderly and frankly, they are all still terrified.

"Even the ones who have had their two injections haven't returned - there has not been the rush back we had hoped for.

"We have all the safety measures in place but people's confidence seems shot. You can only play with 50 bowlers outside and we have not even reached that.

"We normally have two bowling parties a week from other clubs from Glasgow or the other side of Ayrshire, and at weekends there is normally one party or function, so we've really suffered.

"It has been a big drain on our finances."

Alan says the lost revenue from the sale of alcohol has left a huge hole in the club's budget.

He added: "The bar is good for approximately £200,000 per year. We've lost almost all of that. "The bar is still open and we have staff's wages and overheads, but if nobody is using it, then it is very difficult to sustain."

President John McKenzie said: "The other bowling clubs in Largs have been quite busy - but it hasn't kicked off as yet at Halkshill.

"We have large bowling parties who would regularly come to Largs if it was wet outside as they were guaranteed a game at our indoor facility, but we've not seen that at all."

However a combination of grants, membership fees and financial reserves mean the much-loved facility is safe from closure.

Alan added: "The government grants have really kept us on our feet. The members have also paid their fees for last year, and paid them all again this year. Given that there was very little bowling last year, that was a real boost.

"We have got to hope that things will get better in future.

"I think it is likely that there will be another coronavirus spike at some point, so it is a real challenge going forward. We have to hope that numbers will return and we can look forward to normality in 2022."

The club have an open day planned for June 24 but so far only 36 out of 200 members have said they plan to attend.

Alan said: "It is practically the same guys we see every week at the Wednesday seniors. We can only hope that the Covid-19 picture will improve."