Professional snooker player Joe Perry receives assistance from the Fenland District Council to build his own club in Chatteris.
A professional snooker player has realized a lifelong desire by opening a pool and snooker hall in Chatteris, his hometown.
On Wednesday, Joe Perry’s Pool and Snooker Palace officially opened, which was ironically two years after he achieved one of his greatest successes—winning the Welsh Open.
More than £150,000 has been invested in the initiative to renovate the former Turkish restaurant on Market Hill by Joe and his townmate Penny Richardson.
The project received funding of £5k, but it has been more financially taxing than anticipated because major inside improvements, including a complete rewire, are required to bring the building up to modern standards.
Fund grant from the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), managed by Fenland for Business.
Joe stated: “We’ve been wanting to do this in Chatteris for a while, and we’ve been searching for the ideal location for a number of years.
I’ve traveled the world playing snooker, but Chatteris has always been my home base since my parents came here when I was 14 years old.
The town draws me in, and I still hang out with all of my childhood buddies. I always want to come back here, no matter where I go.
“There aren’t many things to do in this area, so I wanted to give snooker to the people of Chatteris as well. It’s not only a career, but it’s a pastime and has a lot of social aspects that I find very fulfilling.
“I had the chance to expand the club’s reach, but it didn’t feel right in my gut.”
Five new pool tables can now be purchased thanks to the £5k grant given to Joe Perry’s Pool and Snooker Palace.
Instead than offering old tables in the first year or two until the business got established, Joe believes this means the club can give a top-notch experience from day one.
More than 250 members have already joined the new company, and eight jobs have been established.
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