Town centre site approved for multi-sports and leisure use
East Lothian Council has given the go-ahead for a substantial leisure development in the centre of Musselburgh that will transform the vacant former B&M unit on the High Street into a multi-sports venue. The scheme, promoted by The Ball Room Sports Bar, will provide a mix of cue sports, darts, bowling and entertainment facilities under a single roof.
Drawings submitted as part of the planning application show the ground floor accommodating nine pool or snooker tables alongside designated spaces for darts, crazy golf and bowling. Separate rooms on the ground level are indicated for two private snooker tables and a karaoke area. A further floor will house additional private snooker tables and space for table tennis and darts.
Local professional backs scheme
The proposal has been welcomed by a prominent local sports figure. Ross Muir, a professional snooker player who lives in Musselburgh, described the development as "massive for the town” and said it would restore a dedicated cue-sports facility that the area has lacked for some time. He added:
"It is really fantastic to have a top-class snooker venue in East Lothian. It gives all the people in the Musselburgh area, and I am sure people will travel, a nice community base."
Operator experience and objections
The planning documents note The Ball Room Sports Bar group already operates several venues across Scotland, including sites in Morningside and Meadowbank in Edinburgh, as well as venues in Perth, Bellshill, Coatbridge, Dunfermline and Glasgow. That experience was cited in supporting material supplied to the council.
Despite the recommendation for approval, the application drew objections from a local business, Battista Property Ltd, which lodged concerns including the potential for increased anti-social behaviour in the town centre. Planning officers’ reports say the applicant supplied measures intended to mitigate such risks. One proposed approach is a zero-tolerance policy for groups where an individual is identified as causing disruption: the whole group would be required to leave and be refused re-entry.
The planning officer’s assessment records the applicant’s confidence that peer pressure within groups frequently helps keep troublemakers in check. Details of further operational controls — such as staffing, supervision, and any security arrangements — are set out in the application materials lodged with the council.
What the scheme will provide
- Ground floor: nine pool/snooker tables, darts area, crazy golf, bowling, two private snooker rooms, karaoke space
- First floor: private snooker tables, table tennis, darts
- Operator: The Ball Room Sports Bar (multiple Scottish venues)
| Feature | Included |
|---|---|
| Number of main cue-sport tables | 9 |
| Private snooker rooms (shown) | Ground and upper floor |
| Other activities | Crazy golf, bowling, darts, table tennis, karaoke |
Local impact and next steps
For Musselburgh, the conversion of a centrally located, long-vacant retail unit into a leisure hub represents a significant change for the High Street. Proponents argue the venue will provide a communal space for both enthusiasts and casual visitors, potentially drawing people into the town centre and supporting nearby businesses. Opponents raised concerns about noise and disorder; the applicant has proposed management strategies intended to reduce those risks.
As with all planning consents, the implementation of the approved scheme will be subject to any conditions specified by the council. Those conditions, and how the operator enforces its behavioural rules and security arrangements, will determine the practical effect of the development on residents and neighbouring properties.
The council’s decision marks the start of a new chapter for that section of Musselburgh High Street, turning a former retail outlet into a combined sports and leisure destination with ambitions to serve the town and visitors from across East Lothian.
