Lakeside Leisure Complex


The Lakeside Leisure Complex is a hotel, entertainment and leisure complex in the village of Frimley Green near Camberley in west Surrey. It is most famous as having been the venue of the BDO World Darts Championship, holding both men's and women's events.

History

The complex was established in 1972, when Bob Potter bought Wharfenden House and the surrounding grounds and lake. He built it up from a 500 seat venue to a 1,000 seat venue, which became popular on the cabaret circuit. The Lakeside fell victim to a fire in the late 1970s, but reopened after refurbishment.
A tragedy struck during the staging of the 2010 World Darts Championship, the 25th year at the Lakeside. During a period of poor weather conditions on 7 January 2010, the body of a man, who had been staying there whilst watching the competition, was found under the frozen lake on the complex. The complex's owners, Bob Potter Leisure Limited, were fined £85,000 for health and safety violations.

Events

The Lakeside became the venue of the World Darts Championship in 1986, where it was held every year up to 2019, and the Club also sponsored the event between 2004-2019.
The venue has played host to acts including Tommy Cooper, Morecambe and Wise, Sammy Davis Jr, Frankie Vaughan and Bob Monkhouse.
The 'Small Business Bureau Conference', held in 1987, was claimed by the organisers to be then the largest business conference in Europe.

Facilities

The largest venue is the Main Cabaret Suite which has a capacity of 1,170 with conference and banqueting facilities. There is also the smaller Canal Suite, the State Suite and smaller function rooms - Bob's Bar, the Sharman Suite and the Wine Bar.
The Leisure Club is a members' club with snooker, pool, darts, bowling, squash and bars. In addition, the complex has a nightclub, gymnasium, hotels and restaurants.

Reputation

Darts commentator and personality Sid Waddell called it "arguably the best club in Britain". According to Waddell, "Tom Jones, Jim Davidson and other stars packed the joint, while Margaret Thatcher herself said it was one of her favourite places for Tory jollies."
Potter and his ownership of the venue is believed to be the inspiration for the Peter Kay television series Phoenix Nights, whose character is named Brian Potter.