Bowlers have slammed Renfrewshire Council over soaring rents that have left their club facing an uncertain future.

Since 2000, Robertson Park Bowling Club’s rent has risen every five years and, earlier this year, stood at £1,750.

Members have now been informed by the council, which owns the club, that their bill will shoot up to £6,000 per year.

It is understood the council has also called on the club to pay all other costs, including rates, insurance, energy bills and maintenance of the greens.

Jim Coyle, club secretary, said there is now “a stalemate” after council chiefs rejected a counter-proposal.

He told The Gazette: “I’m afraid the council are not being very nice.

“If their proposals go ahead, we would need to close the club because there is no way we could afford what they are looking at.”

Councillor John Gray, who represents Renfrew North and Braehead for the Conservatives, is backing the club’s stance.

He said: “Robertson Park Bowling Club is a community asset but these eye-watering proposals from the council run the risk of losing it forever.

“I simply could not believe the increases the council were proposing to impose.

“They should be looking to support clubs like this, not cripple them with rent increases of thousands of pounds.”

However, council chiefs have defended the proposed rent rise.

A spokesperson said: “The purpose of the rent review is to make sure individual bowling clubs are being charged a fair rent that is comparable to what other local clubs pay.

“In setting these rents, we have asked clubs to provide us with their annual accounts for a three-year period so that we can make a realistic assessment of how much money they make. The rent is then based on 15% of this turnover. We are not asking Robertson Park Bowling Club to pay 15% of their bar takings on top of their rent.

“The club hasn’t provided the information we asked for, so the rent has been estimated based on the turnover achieved by other local bowling clubs.

“Over the past 20 years, rent paid by the club has risen by just £400 and what they pay is significantly less than other local bowling clubs.

“We are happy to negotiate with the club about the proposed rent. However, we are in the middle of a strategic review of how our properties are used and we won’t be able to conclude negotiations until that is finished.

“The bowling club’s terms and conditions will remain the same until then.”