Key Points
- East Lothian Council approved planning permission and a premises licence to convert the former B&M store on Musselburgh High Street into a sports venue.
- Battista Property will run the venue under The Ball Room Sports Bar brand, featuring snooker, pool, interactive darts, arcade games, and duckpin bowling.
- Police Scotland and local licensing authorities supported the application, noting it will be the first facility of its kind in East Lothian.
- Musselburgh-based professional snooker player Ross Muir welcomed the decision, calling it a fantastic addition to the area.
- Operators plan to complete interior renovations and open the venue in March 2027.
Musselburgh (Edinburgh Daily) October 29, 2026 – A vacant landmark building on Musselburgh High Street is set to be transformed into a vibrant family-friendly indoor sports facility after securing full planning permission and local licensing approvals.
The former retail unit located at 91–97 High Street, which was previously occupied by discount retailer B&M and historically housed Woolworths, will become the newest location for The Ball Room Sports Bar chain.
The development was approved by East Lothian Council after planning permission was formally granted for the change of use from Class 1A retail space to a Class 11 leisure facility with an ancillary licensed bar.
During licensing committee proceedings, local councillors unanimously granted approval for the establishment, wishing the operating team success as they target an official opening date in early 2027.
Police Scotland and licensing officials have publicly endorsed the application, identifying the family-focused multi-sports hub as an innovative first for East Lothian.
What features will the new Musselburgh sports venue include?
As reported by Marie Sharp of STV News, Battista Property, which currently operates popular Ball Room locations in Morningside and Meadowbank, submitted the formal plans to revitalise the prime High Street spot.
The venue will house high-quality snooker tables, pool tables, digital interactive darts lanes, arcade machines, and a specialized duckpin bowling alley under one roof.
In addition to traditional and digital tabletop sports, plans include an extensive array of broad screens designed to showcase major national and international sporting events.
As reported by Jack Davies of the Edinburgh Evening News, Gennaro Cortellessa, owner of The Ball Room, stated that “We still visit every site, I’m there pouring pints at the weekends, helping out on busy matchdays”.
The project aims to serve families during daylight hours while offering a safe, fully regulated leisure environment for social groups during evenings.
How have local sports professionals and officials reacted to the decision?
The approval of the sports hub has been met with positive reactions from both civic representatives and elite local athletes.
Professional snooker player Ross Muir, who lives in Musselburgh, expressed strong enthusiasm for the arrival of dedicated sports facilities in the area.
As reported by the East Lothian Courier, Ross Muir stated that “It is massive for the town. It is really fantastic to have a top-class snooker venue in East Lothian”.
Licensing board members noted during determination meetings that the conversion effectively fills a major void in East Lothian’s local entertainment offerings.
Officials highlighted that offering structured indoor recreation helps keep leisure spending within the local economy rather than losing footfall to neighbouring urban centres.
Background of the particular development
The address at 91–97 High Street carries a long commercial history within Musselburgh’s central district. For decades, the site served as the town’s primary Woolworths retail branch before the national chain collapsed nearly two decades ago.
The property was subsequently taken over by discount retailer B&M, which operated at the site until relocating to alternative premises, leaving the prominent store vacant.
When initial planning documents were submitted to East Lothian Council, representatives for the applicant pointed out that town-centre trends have evolved dramatically across Scotland.
The planning statement highlighted that since 2007, a growing proportion of High Street commercial units have transitioned from pure Class 1A retail into service and leisure uses.
This shift highlights a broader requirement for Scottish municipal hubs to diversify beyond retail by introducing interactive entertainment and social spaces.
Prediction: How this development can affect the local community and high street economy
The establishment of The Ball Room in Musselburgh is expected to significantly influence local footfall patterns and evening economy dynamics across East Lothian.
By converting a large, vacant store into an active, multi-generational entertainment center, High Street surrounding trade will likely benefit from sustained pedestrian activity during off-peak hours.
For local families and young residents, the site provides an accessible recreational venue close to home, eliminating the need to commute into central Edinburgh for competitive leisure activities like bowling or interactive darts.
Nearby retail shops, takeaway outlets, and public transport operators are likely to experience increased secondary custom generated by visitors frequenting the sports bar during weekend and evening slots.
Furthermore, the addition of a regulated, family-centric sports facility provides constructive social outlets for younger demographics, supporting community safety initiatives championed by local police and licensing boards.
