Former Coronation Street star Bruce Jones has weighed into the row over the destruction of a Newsome bowling green.

Mr Jones, best known as cab driver Les Battersby in the TV soap, said people shouldn’t stand in the way of progress.

Businessman Stuart Smith bought the former Newsome WMC site and Mr Jones will be special guest at the opening of new pub, the Newsome Tap, tonight.

Mr Smith has given bowlers notice to quit the 110-year-old county standard green behind the old clubhouse and wants to build four townhouses and three bungalows on the land.

Dad-of-four Mr Jones, 62, who left Coronation Street in 2007, said it was time for older people to step aside for the next generation.

“This bowling green is not very well used and housing is desperately needed by the younger generation who need a foothold on the housing ladder,” he said.

“It might sound like a terrible thing to say, but it’s time for the older generation to make way for the younger generation.

“I am nearly a pensioner myself but I have 12 grandchildren and I say it’s time to give the new generation a chance.”

The Newsome Tap - formerly Newsome WMC - St. John's Avenue, Newsome.

Mr Jones, who lives in Wales, said he had been told about the controversy when indoor bowlers were frozen out of the new Huddersfield Leisure Centre by Kirklees Council.

The council refused to build an indoor rink at the new Springwood centre which replaced the now-closed Huddersfield Sports Centre.

Mr Jones said: “The best thing would have been for the council to provide facilities for bowlers at the new leisure centre.

“Of course I have sympathy for the bowlers at Newsome but the council is as much to blame.”

Mr Smith secured a two-year option to purchase the former club from the receiver when Newsome WMC went into liquidation in January.

He told the Newsome Community, Sports and Bowling Club that they would have to quit the green at the end of the season on September 26.

Protesters opposed to the housing scheme will converge on the club tomorrow (Sat) at 10.30am to demand the plans be scrapped.

Mr Smith is refusing to back down and said: “This is not just about me making a few quid. The former club members will benefit too with a pay out. We need to move on.”

Bowling green at former Newsome WMC
Bowling green at former Newsome WMC

Mr Jones, a recovering alcoholic who has battled depression, reportedly lost a £1 million fortune. He was axed by Coronation Street after being accused of leaking scripts to an undercover reporter.

This week an on-line campaign to bring back Les Battersby was signed by 1,300 people.

Mr Jones said: “You never say never.”

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