Misery of bank holiday visitors to Eden (From Bucks Free Press)

Misery of bank holiday visitors to Eden

8:09am Tuesday 6th May 2008

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FAMILIES visiting High Wycombe yesterday were left fuming after one of its biggest leisure attractions was forced to shut.

Those hoping for a bank holiday Monday at AMF Bowling were left disappointed following the weekend fire, which cut power to the alley.

The fire started in an electrical store room in the upstairs area at about 3.20pm on Saturday.

Crews forced their way into the room to tackle the small fire, which created a large amount of smoke, a spokesman for High Wycombe fire station said.

He said a fuse board caught fire in a store room which feeds into the alley, causing a power cut.

At the time of going to press phone calls to AMF Bowling were met with a recorded message which said "Thank you for calling AMF High Wycombe.

"Due to a power outage in the shopping centre we are unable to open until Wednesday the 7th of May. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you."

A message on the centre's door promised that "bookings with deposits paid will be contacted as soon as possible to arrange a refund or alternative booking".

The bowling alley, cinema and two restaurants were closed for up to three hours while firefighters investigated.

The cinema and two restaurants re-opened Saturday.

High Wycombe dad Thomas Rose, who was taking his daughter bowling with friends, said: "We are local but we have arranged a family day out and turn up and there's no bowling so I'm very annoyed.

"It's very disappointing. They had their hopes up to go bowling."

Mum-of-two Nicky Gracey, from Ibstone, said: "We have driven 30 minutes to get here and I'm pretty annoyed really.

"We wanted to come here to do an activity with the children, not go shopping.

"We got here for 10am and its not open. There was no information on the website."

High Wycombe dad Jamie Small was visiting the alley with wife Dawn and their two children.

He said: "I think it's a joke. You come up here only to find it's closed. I have been promising our boy that we would go bowling for the whole weekend."

Diners in YO! Sushi - which only opened a day before - and Frankie and Benny's were also evacuated.

Cineworld duty manager Matt Fishwick said customers who were forced to leave the complex would be refunded cinema and food costs.

He said: "It's the first weekend of showing Iron Man which makes it difficult timing.

"Safety is paramount. I'm sure most customers would understand."

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