MEMBERS of an Olveston bowling club are one step closer to building a new pavilion after a sponsorship deal was secured with a local business.


Olveston and District Bowling Club is celebrating its sponsorship deal for this season with Specsavers, in St Mary's Centre, bringing in £500 to the club's new pavilion fund.


The sponsorship is part of the 82-year-old club's fundraising initiative towards their new pavilion at the sports complex in Old Down, Tockington, that will cost upwards of £150,000.


Planning permission has been granted for the new pavilion and the club is well on its way to be able to get phase one of their building programme off the ground.


Club president David Gledhill said: "This is the first year our club has ventured into sponsorship and I'm over the moon that Specsavers has given us their support.


“We are now in a position to move our building project forward and have a provisional target for completion by April 2016".


Graham Ellis, chairman of fundraising at the club, said: "We have raised in excess of £100,000 towards the project so far and this has allowed us to commence the build with the confidence that it will be serviceable for the start of the new season."


Specsavers store director Khairul Rahman was joined by his store manager Kevin Coles when they visited the club prior to a ladies friendly match against Bradley Stoke Bowling Club.


Mr Rahman said: “We are delighted to be associated with Olveston. It's important to our business that we get involved within the local community and give something back.


“By generating good will on top of our product offer, price and service, we find that word of mouth is an excellent way of promoting our business.”


The club has sponsorship from PBF Wealth Management, Optimus Chiropractic & Physiotherapy, Almondsbury Garden Centre and a number of donations from local individuals and groups.


For more information about the club visit www.bowlsolveston.co.uk.