Snooker is experiencing a golden era, with global interest at an all-time high and prize money on the rise, despite the recent loss of the lucrative Saudi Arabia Masters. The World Championship has showcased a new wave of talent, with Wu Yize reaching the semi-finals and debutants like Stan Moody, Liam Pullen, and Antoni Kowalski impressing. Veterans like John Higgins also remind us that the legendary 'Class of 92' remains competitive.
However, behind this glittering facade, grassroots snooker clubs in the UK have been in decline for years. BBC Sport investigates the causes and the efforts to revive them.
The Fall Before the Rise
Rileys, once the most recognizable chain of snooker clubs in the UK and a supplier of equipment to the elite level, now operates just 15 clubs—down from a peak of 165. This pattern of closures has repeated across major cities and towns.
Even legendary venues like the Willie Thorne Snooker Centre in Leicester, which nurtured a young Mark Selby, have closed in the last 15 years. High rents, rising operational costs, reduced junior participation, the pandemic, the smoking ban, and legislation limiting gambling machine jackpots have all taken their toll.
Sport England figures show the number of over-16s playing at least once a week fell from 112,600 in 2005 to just 47,700 in 2014.
Jason Ferguson, chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), told BBC Sport: "In the 1980s, snooker boomed in the UK with a club on every corner. But it reached saturation and had to contract. Clubs need large spaces for tables, but there's a limit to what you can charge. We've been pushed out of prime locations into industrial units, and many have been lost to planning applications."
Signs of Recovery
Despite the challenges, there are glimmers of hope. The WPBSA has launched initiatives to revive grassroots snooker, including funding for clubs and coaching programs. Some clubs are adapting by diversifying their offerings, such as introducing pool tables, darts, or bar areas to attract a broader audience.
New clubs are also opening in more affordable locations, often in industrial estates. The sport's popularity on TV and social media is inspiring a new generation, and youth participation is slowly increasing.
While the golden period of elite snooker contrasts with the struggles of local clubs, there is optimism that the grassroots can bounce back. As Ferguson notes, "The appetite for the game is there; we just need to make clubs viable again."