Bowling alley and gaming chain Lane7 is to open two sites in London plus its first overseas facility as it aims to continue its rapid growth.
The company opened its first venue in Newcastle in 2013 and over the last decade has added another 10 sites around the UK. Now it is planning two sites in the capital and one in Dublin as part of what it says are “unrelenting growth plans.”
The company has also launched a gaming venue brand called Level X, which has an initial site in Glasgow, plus another location in development in Middlesbrough. Other Level X sites, which feature indoor karting, AI-led games and other attractions, are also likely to open this year.
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Owner and founder Tim Wilks said: “When we launched the Lane7 brand 10 years ago in Newcastle the insane customer response immediately told us we had a pioneering concept other locations across the UK would love. Every new site opening has enabled us to push the boundaries further than what even I thought possible.
“Every time, the customer demand has told us to keep pushing to introduce new experiences and concepts. We’ve been imitated many times over, which is unbelievably flattering, but every new opening - and our breathless expansion plans - show we remain way ahead of the competition.”
He added: “Making plans for an aggressive European offensive and to land hard in London with two sites this year is an enormous statement of intent. We dream big and then deliver. It’s what we do.” Lane7 will open a site in London’s Victoria towards the end of this year and is also progressing another site in the capital. In addition, it is adding its biggest facility yet with a second site in Birmingham’s Bullring and will open a Lane7 in Bath this month. Its first overseas bowling alley will open in central Dublin before the end of the year.
Meanwhile, the Level X concept will see the the company looking to take over vacant city centre, multi-floor department store sites. Mr Wilks said: “Ten years ago we broke the mould and disrupted a social scene which was crying out for evolution.
“We’ve reached a stage where there is not only continued huge demand for our product but also an expectation from our customers that we keep pushing the boundaries of late-night socialising. Our expansion plans keep us at the forefront of UK hospitality.”
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