History of Tenpin Bowling in the UK Part 89 – Excel Bowl Otley Road Headingley Leeds

By Tenpin Bowling Proprietors Association President John Ashbridge

The sixteenth centre in the Excel chain to open was the 26-lane AMF equipped centre in Headingley, Leeds which opened on 13th October 1964. The bowl was located on the first floor of a new building, the ground floor of which, was occupied by a number of retail outlets. The centre became the third to open in Leeds after the Top Rank Bowl, Kirkstall Road and the Excel Bowl in the Merrion centre. Initially the centre became very popular with leagues and open play although it is not known how long that popularity lasted. As a result of the declining interest in tenpin bowling in the late 1960’s the bowl closed in July 1969.