In a story which needs no ‘spin’, Halton’s Mayor Cllr John Bradshaw officially opened Runcorn Shopping City’s Ping Pong Parlour on Friday 21 September in a partnership between Table Tennis England, Shopping City, Halton Table Tennis Club and Halton Borough Council.
More than 350 people enjoyed the facility in the first three days of opening last week. BBC Merseyside came along to the launch, as did double Olympian Andrew Holt. She represented GB at four successive World Table Tennis Championships, from 1991 until 1997.
She competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics and 1996 Summer Olympics and won 10 English National Table Tennis Championships, including five singles titles spanning from 1991 until 2004.
She gave a demonstration to Beechwood schoolchildren, with a practice game against Mark Allen, European Heart and Lung Transplant Games multiple gold-medallist and member of Team GB.
The Ping Pong Parlour is part of a campaign to keep Halton healthy.
Ping Pong Parlours are ‘pop-up’ spaces (usually empty shop units), filled with table tennis tables to provide a fun, accessible venue for passers-by to play ping pong for free as well as creating a buzz in shopping centres and the High Street.
They form part of Table Tennis England’s vision to inspire people to get active and lead happier, healthier lifestyles by introducing table tennis into the places they already spend time in their everyday lives.
Halton Borough Council’s Executive Board Member for Sport, Cllr Phil Harris, said: ” We are delighted that one has been set up in Runcorn Shopping City near the central square.
“Free bats and balls all welcome to drop in and have a go. Thanks to the Centre Manager of Shopping City Runcorn, Karl Clawley for negotiating this with Table Tennis England.”
Karl Clawley, added, “We wanted to deliver something that was both fun and healthy for all ages. We know how much time people spend on their mobile devices and thought Ping Pong would be a great way to get people engaging with each other face to face.
The response from visitors has been really positive. The Ping Pong Parlour is open every day from 12noon – 6.00pm every day and 11.00am – 4.00pm on a Sunday. “
Karen Tonge MBE, of Halton Table Tennis Club, who was at the opening with husband Ken, said it has already proved really popular. She said: “Halton Table Tennis League and Club are supporting this initiative and provide pathways. All we need now are participants of all ages to come and have some fun.”
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