PLANS to move a closure-threatened bowling alley were given the green light last night.

Wirral councillors last night unanimously voted to relocate Bromborough’s "The Bowl" as well as giving the go-ahead to a multi-million pound revamp of the Croft Retail Park’s leisure area.

It means the unit will re-open in nearby Bassendale Road while park owners Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) plan to breathe new life into the Odeon cinema and introduce a family restaurant.

Council planning officers had recommended both applications should be refused saying the changes would take much-needed business away from Birkenhead town centre.

They also said the Bassendale Road site was not suitable as it was specified for industrial purposes.

However, planning committee members disagreed.

Spokesman Cllr Dave Mitchell said it was the “right decision.”

He said: “As much as the officers gave reasons for refusal, we do have to look at the economic climate of today.

"We should always be looking to enhance town centres but the majority of South Wirral residents tend to use Croft Retail Park or Cheshire Oaks when they go shopping.

“It is a win-win situation because we have been able to retain the bowling system in the area and also been able to create a few more jobs.

"The building where the cinema is located is pretty tired so that will get a refurbishment too.”

The Bowl’s search for new premises was triggered by a scheme submitted by USS to downsize the leisure area by replacing the existing ten pin bowling facility.

The number of screens at the Odeon Cinema would be reduced to create more shopping space, restaurants, and a new retail unit.

Around 850 people signed a petition backing the application and 313 e-mails and letters of support were lodged with the planning authority.

And The Bowl director Stuart Jaap said he was delighted with the committee's decision.

He said: "We are ecstatic with the outcome of the planning meeting and we would like to thank everyone who has supported us and stood by us.

"We were unsure which way the result would go but I think the councillors' site visit played a big part in their decision because they were able to see how much the community benefits from the bowling alley."

Work is expected to start on the new site in May, with plans to open by August.

And USS have confirmed that they will help to fund The Bowl's move to its new premises.

USS’s Retail & Leisure portfolio manager Fergus Egan said: “We are delighted with the council’s decision.

"This helps to secure the future of a bowling facility in Bromborough, as well as enabling us to provide an improved environment and range of goods and services to visitors to the Croft Retail & Leisure Park.

“The leisure redevelopment will create around 66 new jobs and is evidence of our continued confidence in the Wirral, where we have owned the Park since 1998.

“We are also pleased that approval of our plans means that we will be able to bring forward significant improvements to pedestrian, cycle and disabled access to and across the Park, including a new signal-controlled crossing of Welton Road by McDonald’s, linking to ASDA.”