Local Community Bowled over by Listers.

There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a project come to fruition. Especially when that project changes the lives of so many people. Lister Trade Frames of Stoke on Trent along with other local businesses, joined forces to assist a group of keen Crown Green Bowlers convert their dilapidated clubhouse into a functional building.

Middleport Bowling Club had long since lost the financial support of the local council and was being self-funded by the patrons, many of whom were pensioners. With very restricted funds, the club house, which had been standing for over 40 years, was falling to pieces around their heads. Word soon spread of the bowling clubs plight and Listers, in conjunction with the likes of local construction companies Novus and Seddons, joined the cause to help renovate the clubhouse free of charge.

“It was a real team effort,” remarked Dave Allen, Commercial Sales Manager for Listers, “and when Novus asked us to get involved, we didn’t hesitate.”

When Listers arrived on-site they saw the full extent of the problems the patrons were facing. “The windows and doors were rotting and a few of them had been smashed. It was a real shame to see the standards that these pensioners were having to work with,” commented Dave. “Our input was to sort out fitting new windows and doors as a matter of urgency.”

And so work began. All of the companies involved started donating their time and products completely free to transform the club house into a warm, secure and usable environment once again.

“When we’d finished our part in the project, there was still a fair amount of work needed on the inside of the building,” said Dave, “but we were confident that when we returned it would look just as amazing inside as it did on the outside.”

And that was exactly the case. After months of hard work and co-ordination, Middleport Bowling Club had a new clubhouse to be proud of. All of the contributing companies were invited to the grand opening which was carried out by the Lord Mayor of Stoke, Majid Khan, who was effusive in his praise for the project.

“We can’t thank Listers and the other companies enough,” exclaimed a delighted long standing patron of Middleport Bowling Club. “This club is so important to so many of the local residents who have been playing here for over 40 years. To see this transformation means we can even use the clubhouse for other activities such as chess club, knitting circles and other community events.”

“It was a real team effort and everyone involved has done an amazing job,” said Listers Marketing Manager, Daniel Shaw. “To see the end result is so gratifying and we’ve also been challenged by the team to a bowling match. So at least we’ll have somewhere warm and dry to be when we inevitably lose!”