A CHAT at a coffee shop sparked a business venture for one South Wilts cricketer who is offering a solution to the burden of bad weather.

Stephen Warner was given food for thought about opening an indoor cricket centre after meeting a friend in Costa Coffee in 2012 and now, three years on, his very own centre of excellence has been launched.

The Tollgate Indoor Cricket Centre (TICC), on Tollgate Road is a converted warehouse which offers four lanes, bowling machines, strength and conditioning equipment, coaching equipment and reception area among other things.

Salisbury and District indoor cricket clubs, Wiltshire cricket girls’ programme and Marylebone Cricket Club have already booked the hall for sessions.

Warner, a coach and allrounder for three-time ECB Premier Division winners South Wilts, says he’s delighted with the facility.

“A lot of praise, from a lot of people, who have seen the TICC has made it all worthwhile,” he said.

“Seeing the facility being used in the first week of it being open has put a big smile on my face and taken a big weight off my shoulders.”

“I’m blown away by how good it actually is and it’s far better than I imagined it would be. Very impressed.”

Some of Warner’s inspiration for his centre derived from his winter spells in Australia, a country where he played at a warehouseconverted indoor cricket centre.

After searching for a facility to convert, Warner spotted the site on Tollgate Road, where many industrial units in Salisbury are based.

And after trawling through various paperwork documents, his project got the thumbs up.

The centre, which officially opened to the public at the end of January, has attracted much public interest.

He added: “With more and more bookings coming each day it does make all the hard work and stress over the past few months all worthwhile and very rewarding.

“All I hope is that the word keeps spreading around Salisbury and Wiltshire and the TICC continues to progress and become more and more popular.”

Holiday courses will also be held and taught by qualified coaches at the centre.

For more information, email sj.warner@hotmail.co.uk.

COURSES:

SOUTH Wilts Cricket Club is holding an eight week training course on Tuesday evenings at the indoor centre for women and girls.

A taster session for cricket newcomers will take place on Tuesday.

Email robert.wade@chartltd.co.uk for more information.

LEAD South Wilts Cricket Club coach James Hibberd is giving youngsters the chance to hone their skills for the summer season with a threeday half-term course.

At Norman Court School, West Tytherley there will be separate sessions for the two age groups, with ten to 14 year olds in the mornings and six to nine year olds after lunch.

The first day is Monday, February 16.

Anyone interested should contact 07810 823263 James@hibberdcricket.co.uk.