The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) says it hopes to have snooker clubs in England back open as early as a few weeks time.

The governing body has expressed a desire for its affiliate snooker clubs, and other clubs, to return to business from July 4.

All snooker clubs across the UK have been closed since March when the UK was placed under lockdown due to the severeness of the killer disease.

When restrictions eased last month, the WPBSA sent proposals to Parliament to help restart the sport as soon as possible – with snooker then making its professional comeback on June 1.

In today’s update, the WPBSA said it was working under Government guidance to help reopen snooker clubs for amateur players.

More specifically, the body is working on the following guidance published in “OUR PLAN TO REBUILD: The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy” which has set an ambition from July 4 to………

“open at least some of the remaining businesses and premises that have been required to close, including personal care (such as hairdressers and beauty salons) hospitality(such as food service providers, pubs and accommodation), public places (such as places of worship) and leisure facilities (like cinemas).”

The WPBSA said in its updated statement: “The WPBSA position is that snooker clubs may fall within these criteria – provided that COVID-19 guidelines are strictly followed. This is also subject to guidance from both central government and local authorities across England being met by each individual club.

“We will continue to liaise closely with our affiliated clubs that are part of the 147 Club network and are looking to set up further online meetings with them over the coming days to discuss the safe re-opening of clubs directly.”

The WPBSA has a number of affiliate snooker clubs which are connected to the amateur game through the English Partnership for Billiards and Snooker.

The target date is subject to Government guidance and the development of the global pandemic in the UK.