Bowlswear Direct was the brainchild of owner and managing director Ronnie Newman. After many successful years in the manufacturing world of fashion, Ronnie felt a new challenge was needed in his working life and by chance, after speaking to Peter Hankin a family friend, he decided that this was the challenge he was looking for.

Bowlswear Directs fabulous new superstore
for bowlers situated at:
15 Beacon Grove,
Carshalton,
Surrey
SM5 3BA.
Tel: 020 8669 4444.
Fax: 020 8773 3737
Opening hours:
Mon - Fri 9.30am - 5.00pm
Sat - 9.30am - 5.00pm

Click here to see a map.

I made Ronnie's acquaintance some ten years ago whilst working for the now defunct company of Sullivans and was immediately impressed by the quality and competitive pricing of his stock. I realised then he would become a major player in the Bowls retail world. Ronnie bought Peter's business and decided to work from his garage at home. Owing to the success the business was achieving, the garage and the house became his store. With two vans and all the stock a decision had to be made to appease customers demands, family and neighbours. This resulted in the opening of the Banstead shop.

Bowlswear Direct's impact was now being noticed throughout the bowls retail world and with the success generated by the shop, advertising and personal club visits, I felt now was the time for me to jump on the band-wagon with Ronnie or be left behind. After building the name of Callaghans bowls equipment, my partner, Martin Callaghan, and I decided we could not compete with Ronnie, so why not sell the retail business and submit? Ronnie, being the competitor he is, promptly bought our business thus giving him a foothold in the north of England and Scotland and expanding his empire throughout the British Isles. At the same time employing a very professional work force, including life-long club, county and International bowlers together with affiliated coaches to ensure that customers needs are always catered for.

The story does not end there, and as you can see from these pictures, Bowlswear Direct has moved from Banstead to new, larger premises in Carshalton with some 3,500sq. ft. of floor space. This is the biggest and most impressive bowls specialist shop I have ever seen. Not only does he supply everything the bowler requires, the shop also has a 45ft, shortmat for you to try before you buy your set of bowls.

So as a footnote, two shops, twenty club franchises, two club shops and as many as five vans doing club visits throughout the year at any one time, we could ask WHAT'S NEXT FOR BOWLSWEAR DIRECT?

Norman Routledge (General Manager) Bowlswear Direct