Over the years Thurston’s have supplied, installed and worked on Snooker/Billiard tables in many places and countries. Some of these have been quite unusual. Here a just a few examples that might be of interest.

A Snooker/Billiard table was supplied and installed on a barge moored on one of the canals on the outskirts of Amsterdam. The barge was part of the games room of our client whose garden finished on the canal bank to which they moored the barge. As you will see in the following photographs the barge isn’t quite of the design one might expect! It has two floor levels, the table was installed in the bottom floor, which was below the water line. When the table was installed the barge settled a further 10mm into the water as a result of additional weight.

The barge, moored at the bottom of the garden
The windows on the right are the ones you can just make out on the first picture underneath the “bay window’ section. These window are only about 150mm (6 inches) above the water.
The next installation illustrated was one of the more unusual and a pictorial record was kept. This table was stored under the floor of one of the entertaining rooms in the house. When the owner wanted to play a game of Snooker the table had to be raised from its storage pit, as shown in the following sequence of pictures.
The ‘ballroom’ – where can I play Snooker?
Centre floor panel raised complete with lighting shade
Two floor panels lifted – Note table set up for a game!
Table rises from below and is fully exposed
Table ready for play. As you will see the table has been spun through 90 degrees. The two end floor panels have been hinged back into the floor and then the table lowered into its playing position still with the balls still set for snooker.

In an old J. Ashcroft & Co catalogue circa 1900, they actually offer similar device to raise & lower Tables. There was also amore basic mechanical means to raise & lower tables for storage- follow link to Bromborough Institute and read about that table.

Recently (2007) we carried out a full recover on a full size table in the North East of England. The table was stored under the stage of the club! This allowed the hall to be used for other functions and also for badminton. For the Snooker players to use the table it had to be taken out from under the stage. This was achieved by running the table on rails! When the table was either in its storage position or playing position it had a special locking mechanism which prevented it moving. Our fitter reported that when out in its playing position it was perfectly level. The following photographs were taken on a disposable camera so they are not as clear as they might have been.

Picture 1 – you can see the table, covered in a silver plastic dustcover, under the stage and the rails in place allow it to be wheeled out into its playing position
Picture 2 – Shows table out from the stage. The rails from under the stage to its playing position are removed, thus allowing players to walk round without fear of tripping.
Picture 3 – Shows the special castors on the rails. You can also see the metal bracing bars that had to be fitted to keep the legs square to each other.
Picture 4 – Table ready for play!

In August 2011 a discovery pictures, whilst researching Norman Clare’s files, show a Thurston Design No. 23 Table by C. F. A. Voysey which was stored below the floor when not in use. The final picture shows part of the mechanism which raised and lowered the table. Sadly we currently do not know where these pictures were taken! (Should anyone know any further information on where this table was installed please advise)

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. © E.A. Clare & Son Ltd. 2018. © Peter N. Clare 2026
Reproduction of this article allowed only with the permission from E.A. Clare & Son Ltd.

Please do not hesitate to ask should need any advice on snooker, billiards or pool or wish to make a purchase. Thurston has the most comprehensive range of Snooker, Pool & Billiard accessories available. Visit our e-shop – www.thurston.co.uk

email – thurston@eaclare.co.uk or Phone – 0151 482 2700

The Snooker Heritage Collection is free to enter BUT as the rooms are just part of a working office and factory a Guide is required. So please make an appointment giving at least 72 hours notice. The maximum number that can be shown round is limited to four. To access the Collection is up two flights of stairs. To make an appointment phone 0151 482 2700