£3.4 million to acquire Jersey Bowl and many thousands more to be invested into turning the FEC into a modern day entertainment centre-piece for the islanders. Entrepreneur Jonathan Ruff will start making good on his ambitions next month as the renovation programme commences.

Jersey-based leisure entrepreneur Jonathan Ruff has announced he is ready to spend thousands revitalising Jersey Bowl, after purchasing the island’s popular entertainment facility from MFA Bowl for £3.4m.

Ruff was previously owner of Tamba Park adventure playground and boating lake in St Lawrence, which closed in 2019, and has since run a number of bars and restaurants under the holding company Ruff Ventures.

“I am super excited to breathe new life into the venue and make it amazing again,” he said. “There are so many exciting plans and ideas to implement. Although it’s a little tired at the moment, it’s still great fun.”

“The idea is to create the lower section to make it bigger so we can have a much nicer arcade; redo the reception, and so we’re copying a lot of what Hollywood Bowl and Tenpin Bowl have done in the UK.”

Jersey Bowl was first opened in 1994, and has “remained a favourite among families,” according to The Times Jersey, “though much of its equipment now shows its age.”

“Renovation work is expected to begin in March. The venue will remain open to customers throughout the refurbishment period, allowing regular bowlers to continue using the facility while upgrades are carried out.”