Bill has Bowmen all

TWO thriving sports clubs got a bolt from the blue when a company which prides itself on being “good for everyone” more than doubled the insurance bill.

Archery club Assheton Bowmen and North Manchester Rugby Club were sent reeling after their building insurance invoice from landlord the Co-operative Group — which they received nine months late — rose from £1,500 to £3,621.

The teams lease the Tudor Lodge sports complex in Victoria Avenue East on the Chadderton/Moston border from the company.

Vic Atkinson, chairman of Assheton Bowmen, branded the rise as astronomical and sought independent quotes, the highest being £1,074.

He said: “According to the lease we have to go to the landlord’s own insurance company.

“I am led to believe that sort of clause is no longer legal. I have tried to get in touch with the Co-op. I just get passed about from office to office and nobody can give me an answer.

“The only way we could afford it would be to put our members’ fees up. This is the so-called caring, sharing Co-op.”

The rugby club has around 60 adult and junior members and works with local schools. It has just had a new pitch laid.

Assheton Bowmen was set up in 1992 and has around 100 members aged from eight to 72, including people with disabilities.

Mr Atkinson fears the Co-op is trying to push out the clubs to sell off the land and added: “Being an Olympic sport, we are actually training up new coaches at the moment.

“We run beginners courses and we are fully booked up until April.”

A spokesman for the Co-op told the Evening Chronicle the invoice was based on an incorrect valuation for the property.

He added: “It has now been withdrawn and we will be sending him a new and current one. We have also made it clear that Mr Atkinson is free to get his own insurance as long as it meets the criteria we need it to meet.

“The nine month delay was unfortunate. It doesn’t mean the building wasn’t covered because we are re-invoicing him for an invoice we had paid.”