Bowling operator Lane7 looks to roll out 10 new venues in two years
Lane7 is expecting to open 10 new venues over the next two years, with the bowling and competitive socialising operator preparing to add 180,000 sq ft of space to its portfolio by the end of 2025.
This comes as the Lane7 confirms that it has completed 120,000 sq ft of transactions in 2024, with the operator opening eight new sites across the UK and Europe.
The group opened its first European venue in October at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin. Meanwhile, two Dublin venues – at Dundrum and Chatham Street – are due to open in January 2025.
In the last few months alone, the operator has signed three new sites with a further six in legals. In the UK, Lane7’s roll out will include two new venues in Newcastle, where it opened its first venue in 2013, as well as further sites for the group’s family-friendly sister brands Gutterball and LevelX.
Lane7’s concept blends bowling with alternative gaming, tech-enabled experiences, retro arcade games, and other activities including karaoke booths, beer pong, dart boards, and mini golf, anchored by hospitality, often in collaboration with local food and beverage brands.
Tim Wilks, founder of Lane7, said: “Leisure plays a vital role in energising town centres and mixed-use schemes, and competitive socialising is especially powerful as a footfall driver that complements existing F&B brands, and as a compelling leisure option that offers a wide range of activities to suit a diverse audience, to create memorable experiences with or without alcohol. At St James’ Quarter, where we opened in 2021, Lane7 accounted for 2% of the entire scheme’s footfall with 400,000 visiting the venue in the first full year. With 85% of our guests pre-booking their visit, it’s clear that our sites can contribute meaningfully to the overall footfall performance, vibrancy and relevance of town centre and mixed-use destinations.”