Snookered by the developers

Published: 3 March, 2011

• I WAS at the recent Camden planning meeting when the Snooker Club in Delancey Street was saved from demolition by unanimous vote of the council – only for the developer to find a legal loophole and close the club down. 

As a regular player at the Camden Snooker Club I would like to put on record why the club was so special to me. 

I was brought up surrounded by heavy drinking pubs in the Industrial North of England with nowhere to meet friends except for one quiet haven in the town – the Snooker Club. 

In the cavernous space no voices were raised, no disputes tolerated – just peace and quiet except for the occasional click of the brightly coloured snooker balls on the green baize tables – such a wonderful place to be. 

This was where myself and friends enjoyed a game and quietly planned our way to university. 

To think that until a week ago Camden provided both young and old with this alternative to Camden’s “wild side”. 

Such a loss.

MICHAEL DOWD 
Camden Town, NW1