Weymouth's bowling alley has closed down weeks after changing hands as it was found to need around £200,000 worth of roof repairs.

MFA Bowl on St Nicholas Street has closed until further notice, with all employees – believed to be more than a dozen – made redundant.

It was shut after the roof of the building was found to be unsafe and in need of being completely replaced.

As reported, Disco Bowl, a Midlands-based nightclub and bar group, announced the acquisition of nine bowling alleys including the MFA Bowl Weymouth last month. The deal was made with administrator Duff and Phelps after MFA Bowl UK fell into administration in February.

On Saturday, part of the ceiling fell down at the Weymouth site while customers were inside. Nobody was injured.

Yesterday, managing director of Disco Bowl, Pete Terry, said: "The roof was not safe so we had no choice but to immediately close the venue. We've got to be responsible with how we operate.

"We occupied the site for four weeks under licence from Duff and Phelps, the administrator of MFA Bowl UK Limited and the current leaseholder. We have had to return the site to Duff and Phelps. We are devastated that this has meant the staff employed at the venue have sadly been made redundant.

"We hope that the landlord can repair the roof and we would look to return to Weymouth in the future."

Mr Terry confirmed that the roof needs to be completely replaced, a job which he believes will cost in the region of £200,000.

Raymond Keys, who runs a Monday league at the bowling alley, said: "It's such a huge loss for Weymouth.

"It's quite a busy place and it's the only inside bowling alley we really have here. The next nearest one is in Branksome or Yeovil.

"My league has around 26 to 28 people and most of them are pensioners. We were so pleased when the new owners took it over, they were really good. They brought in new balls and put new pins in. They were planning to put brand-new lanes in too."

Claudia Moore, chief operating officer of Weymouth BID, said she believes bosses are considering other sites around the town to put a purpose-built bowling alley in.

She said: "I was contacted by the manager yesterday and they are very upset that they have had to let staff go. The building was in too much disrepair.

"It was taken over by a new company which was planning to make improvements, like any incoming company would, but it just wasn't viable."

The leisure attraction opened as Lakeside Superbowl in January 1998 as part of the new town centre development. It was built on the site of the former Texas DIY store. Boasting 18 lanes, it also included a fast food area, bar, amusement machines and pool tables. It was originally owned by Newbury Leisure which ran a larger operation in Berkshire.