A planned Star Wars theme day at the Plympton Megabowl turned into a fond farewell bash for the staff and visitors to the centre.
Even the Imperial might of Lord Darth Vader using the mythical Force was not enough to rescue the old Plympton Megabowl from destruction.
A host of Star Wars characters were out in force to ensure the final session at the rink was not a sombre and sad occasion.
Also on hand to give their own bowling tips were Darth Maul, a collection of Imperial Stormtroopers, Queen Amidala, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda.
Centre owner Tenpin Ltd said the site was closing to make way for retail development – although Plymouth City Council has not received any applications as yet.
General manager Tanya Pick said the closure date coincided with the planned Star Wars theme day and they had decided to go ahead with it regardless.
Tanya said: “I was here the day it opened in 1992 and now I’m going to watch it close. I’m absolutely gutted, but it’s a purely business decision by the owners.
“It’s been a journey; we’ve seen a lot of changes. There has been more than 300 staff here in that time.
“Leagues are decreasing in numbers, even in America. The adults and older adults were into it but the younger ones less so. We’ve always had youth leagues on Saturday mornings but that’s dwindled.
“It’s a great sport, and so inclusive. It doesn’t matter what age you are or what ability. We regularly have people with disabilities here; whether they’re blind or in a wheelchair, everybody can do it.
“We often have the Stars Wars guys come in for birthday parties. We’d organised it in advance, so we thought we’d keep with it and go out on something a bit different.
“More than anything, what’s made this place is the staff; they’re great, with great characters. That’s what I’ll miss the most.”
Angela Cann, aged 34 and from Plympton, agreed. She turned up with her children Kyle, nine, and Emily, aged 13, plus niece Paige, aged 14.
She said: “We’ve come here every couple of months for years. Kyle’s a huge Star Wars fan, so we came along today. It’s a real shame we’re losing the place.”
The pins, bowls and shoes will now be distributed among other MegaBowl centres across the country.
Tanya said: “I was here the day it opened: putting the pins and balls out, lacing the shoes. Now I’ll be here on the last day, packing it away again. It’s an odd feeling.”