The first new centre to open in 1962 was also the first for several other reasons being the first for a new company, Ambassador Bowling Ltd, a subsidiary of Associated Television. The building was also the first purpose-built unit for a bowling centre in the UK.
The Ambassador lanes opened on 20th January 1962 and was equipped with 24 AMF lanes and machines.
Ambassador Lanes Danestrete Stevenage was officially opened on 15th September 1962 by Dr. Charles Hill MP the former Minister of Housing and is believed to have been Ambassador Bowling’s second centre, it was equipped with 26 AMF lanes and machines on one level. Prior to the official opening. the centre had been functioning for several weeks, in order to encourage the local population to introduce themselves to tenpin bowling. As part of the opening the picture shows L S Michael, Ambassador Bowling General Manager with Fleet Street Sports Writers and show biz celebrities during a ‘challenge match’.
By 1966 The Ambassador chain of bowling alleys included locations in Basildon, Edgeware, Harlow, Hemel Hempstead, Hounslow, Ipswich, Liverpool, Portsmouth, Stevenage and Wolverhampton.
They also had a newsletter and we have managed to recover some thanks to Stuart Watson. If you have any of these issues please contact stuart@talktenpin.net
Ambassador Newsletter Vol. 2 No. 1 January 1966
