ONE of the world’s best players has saved a city centre snooker hall – and is making it his aim to get more youngsters into the sport.

Ricky Walden has taken over the Chester Snooker Centre on Volunteer Street and renamed it The Q Bar.

The Chester-born world number 20 has been using the centre for the last 12 months as his practice base and when he heard it was to shut, he knew he had to act.

“It’s a new adventure for me but one I’m really looking forward to,” said Walden, who is setting up The Q Bar with his manager Lee Gorton, former manager Colin McDonald and his good friend Anthony Owens.

“I’m going to use all the experience I’ve gained of going to clubs across the UK. I know what works and I think we can set up a really good club here and give something back to the community.

“We want to get young players in and that could really boost the leagues around Chester. I think the enthusiasm for snooker at the bread and butter level has gone a bit stale, so we’re aiming to get this place buzzing. Be it through leagues, competitions or just through practice, we want more people from around here playing snooker.”

Walden, who won his maiden ranking title in October when he beat the legendary Ronnie O’Sullivan in the final of the Shanghai Masters, will play a strictly-invitational exhibition to officially open The Q Bar on Friday, July 3.

The 26-year-old’s skills will also be on display the following night, July 4, for Chester Snooker Centre members only. Members should contact Gorton on 07734415907 to confirm their place.

Walden, who has been doing a spot a painting and decorating to help refurbish the centre, will then jet off to the Far East to defend his Sangsom 6-Reds International in Thailand, compete in the General Cup International in Hong Kong before representing Great Britain at the World Games in Taiwan.

The Q Bar has reduced the number of tables in the centre from nine to six, but will contain up to three quality match tables, including Walden’s. There will also be pool and poker tables while Sky Sports is being installed.

Current membership will be honoured until the end of 2009, if it stretches that far.