THE buzz surrounding the return of the UK Snooker Championship to York will not be restricted to those who merely buy tickets.

Gary Penrose, owner of Cueball Snooker in Alexandra Court, reckons the revival of the tournament at the Barbican Centre – after a five-year absence – can also give the game a boost in the Minster city.

With a new league in the process of being formed that aims to start in September, Penrose reckons the publicity and possible spin-offs from York again hosting the second biggest tournament can help bring in new players.

“We’ve already had a lot of comments from people. We sold a few cues and different things. It all helps,” he said.

“From previous experience, during the competition, some of the players come and practise here.

“I know they have their own practice tables but some of them like to get out – some of the lesser lights – and come into the club and enjoy the atmosphere.

“We’ve always ended up helping World Snooker on a number of things as well. We have had coaching sessions down here with Ronnie O’Sullivan and they have sent previous champions to us for a day.

“We’ve usually ended up getting spin-offs from that and it is always massive. People then think about buying cues and memberships. It is enormous for us.”

On the new York league, which is set to start in September and will be a regular donor for the Paul Hunter Foundation, Penrose added: “It should be really good.

“You have the Cons League where only Conservative club members can play. You have the CIU League and we, as a venue, don’t fall into either category.

“There always used to be a York and district snooker league but, over the years with the demise of Stonebow – places like that had a lot of teams – it has stopped.

“It’s nice to have an open league again. I hope we can get the best players in this. There’s £6,000 in prize money over three years and that’s a lot of money.

“We’ve got darts, football, dominoes, pool – you name it – and we’ve no snooker team. That’s bizarre because we are a snooker club. It’s another thing which is good for us. It’s about getting the younger ages in.”