Broadland Snooker Centre in Norwich could become shops

Plans have been re-submitted to split Broadland Snooker Centre, in Hellesdon, into three separate units.

The Broadland Snooker Centre in Hellesdon (Image: Denise Bradley)

Those behind the project - Thomas and Martin Klinge - are looking to amend a similar application which was approved last year by providing larger retail, commercial and ancillary spaces.

If approved, the site would open from 6am to 10pm on weekdays and Saturdays, and 7am to 10pm on Sundays and bank holidays.

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Little detail about the proposed use of the space has been provided and attempts have been made by this newspaper to clarify this with the applicant. 

Jimmy White at Broadland Snooker Centre in 2011 (Image: Newsquest)

The snooker centre, on the roundabout where Reepham Road meets Middletons Lane, closed when the first lockdown hit in March 2020.

Doors temporarily reopened but the pandemic took hold again and it shut for good in May 2021.

The venue had been at the heart of the community for decades and saw some of the biggest names in world snooker show up for exhibition games.

Cliff Thorburn at Broadland Snooker Club (Image: Newsquest)

It had been run by Roger and Nicola Reynolds since 2004, but this came to an end when the club’s landlord opted to sell the building rather than renew the lease.

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Mr Reynolds said in 2020: “We are devastated but there is nothing we can do. Over the years, the place has become more than just a snooker club to our members - it is a very, very sociable place.

“It has been a struggle for us over the past few months so we might have found things difficult the next year or so, but this is not at all how we wanted it to end.”

Broadland District Council is expected to reach a decision on the latest application by February 6, 2024.

Plans for the retail space (Image: Broadland District Council)