Sale of the Motor Inn may repay debts, allow bowls to continue

Administrators of the Narrabri Bowling Club, ‘Sporties’, are moving ahead with plans to sell the club’s motel, the Club Motor Inn.

A spokesman for the administrators, Alan Hayes, told The Courier in a statement that efforts to secure an amalgamation with another club had not been successful.

However, following the sale of the Motor Inn, ‘retention of bowls and the club is being considered.’

“We have tried valiantly for a merger/amalgamation to assist the bowlers,” Mr Hayes said.

“We are trying to preserve the facility of bowling, for Narrabri and its bowlers, present and future.”

The board of Narrabri Bowling club appointed Hayes Advisory as Administrator on Friday, April 24 last year.

“Narrabri Bowling Club Limited’s amalgamation with another club has, notwithstanding considerable effort, not succeeded, primarily due to the financial strain experienced by clubs all over NSW as a consequence of the reduced trading revenue, increased costs and greater risks experienced by potential amalgamation partner clubs due to COVID-19 and the trading restrictions imposed as a consequence,” Mr Hayes said in a statement.

“Hence its two principal assets, being first, the Club Motor Inn and second, Narrabri Sporties including its clubhouse, will be dealt with separately.

“The Club Motor Inn will be sold, after subdivision, from which the Narrabri Bowling Club Limited’s creditors are expected to be fully repaid.

“Pleasingly the Club Motor Inn continues to trade profitably which augurs well for its sale price.”

Subdivision may take up to six months, however ‘Narrabri Shire Council is trying to expedite that as much as it can, which is pleasing’, Mr Hayes said.

“Meanwhile, Narrabri Sporties’ trading continues each Thursday, Friday and Saturday with weekly raffles and social bowls games.”

“Retention of bowls and the club is being considered and will understandably be strengthened and sustained by increased patronage,” Mr Hayes said.

“Thank you to club members, the Board, suppliers and staff who have supported Narrabri Sporties and the Club Motor Inn.”