NATIONAL BRIDGE CENTRE

Important Announcement

At its meeting of the 25th January the Board of EBU Ltd visited a potential site for a National Bridge Centre. Following the visit a full and frank discussion took place and I am pleased to announce that it was agreed that we should enter into detailed negotiations with the owners of the Kettering Leisure Village, Phoenix Leisure Ltd.

The Kettering Leisure Village is situated alongside the A14 which is the cross country highway that connects the M1/M6 to the A1 on its route through to the eastern ports. Whilst everybody would like to see an important facility like this on their own doorstep, this is not possible, but we do believe we have achieved the next best thing by going for this well situated central location.

The KLV was built some 12 years ago and is currently undergoing a total refurbishment programme. As part of this, it is complimenting its traditional sporting activities by developing new leisure and business facilities. A new fitness, health and beauty therapy centre has been opened, along with a kid's paradise, both of which have their own entrances and management structures. On the first floor of the building it is planned to establish a high quality conference and seminar complex, and subject to our negotiations, the National Bridge Centre.

The NBC which will predominately be in use at weekends, allowing weekday conference use and will provide space for up to 100 bridge tables, lounge areas and catering space to serve up to 400 people in one sitting. All of this will be provided on one level and will be self-contained with full disabled access. There are also 700 car parking spaces on site.

It is proposed to relocate our HQ to the site to be accommodated in purpose-built offices. In addition, hotel developers are waiting to discuss our requirements prior to submitting detailed plans of a 100 bedroom hotel.

It is far too early, at this stage, to say how quickly this project can be undertaken, if terms are agreed, but it is possible that a timescale of between 12 and 24 months is feasible. During this time we will be exploring with the Tournament Committee which of our existing and new events can be accommodated at Kettering. With regard to our Congresses, we do of course appreciate that location, particularly the seaside, is important and will take this into full account.

I hope you share my view that this is a most exciting project and one that will form the flagship for our future development of the game of bridge. 

Denis Robson
Chairman