By Tenpin Bowling Proprietors Association President John Ashbridge
Wembley Stadium Bowl Empire Way Wembley Middlesex
The Wembley Stadium bowl was built, adjacent to the Empire Pool (now the SSE Arena) in 1962 and was the seventh bowling centre to be opened in the Greater London Area. The centre was equipped with 24 AMF lanes and machines and, together with the Starlight Restaurant, opened on 15th November 1962.
It very quickly became a very popular bowling centre and, over the years, developed an extensive league and tournament programme. The centre hosted many major tournaments and was the home of the London International Matchplay between 1962 and 1972.
As the interest in tenpin bowling declined during the late 1960’s and early 1970’s the centre closed on 1st July 1973. Following closure, the building was converted into a 15 court Squash centre which opened in November 1974. The British Open Squash Championships were held there from 1975 until 1980. The building was subsequently demolished.
