THE landlord of Cwmbran’s bowling alley said the site has been repossessed this week.

Bowlplex Limited is now closed to the public and John Ives, a director of landlord Mintblue (Cwmbran) Limited, said it now intends to reopen the building itself as soon as possible.

Bowlplex Limited moved into the site at Leisure@Cwmbran in October 2009. Bowlplex chairman Sean Cooper said the centre has temporarily closed following what it said was the “unlawful occupation”

by Mintblue (Cwmbran) Limited.

Mr Cooper said representatives from the landlord indicated their support for its Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) proposal last week.

He said: “It is with great disappointment to learn that Richard Hayward (a director of Mintblue) has taken matters into his own hands and acted unlawfully by taking possession of our centre in Cwmbran.”

The claims made by Bowlplex were put to Mintblue yesterday.

Mr Ives said the proposal was for the rent paid by Bowlplex to be reduced to just over half.

He said conditional support was given on a CVA, but said the information when presented to themwas lacking in detail and they found the deal unacceptable.

He said it was unfair of Bowlplex to single out Mr Hayward in its statement.

Mr Cooper stressed that Bowlplex’s rents and rates are fully paid until the end of April, which Mr Ives confirmed.

Mr Cooper said Bowlplex is seeking legal advice and said customer reservations will be honoured at its site in Nantgarw. He said the 28 staff are still employed and on full pay.