Responding to an evolving landscape
Our position as the established ten-pin bowling and competitive socialising market leader in the UK, and now the ten-pin bowling market leader in Canada, enhances our ability to respond to evolving market dynamics. There are a number of market trends and opportunities which are important for the Group.
Consumers increasingly prioritise experiences over material purchases, shaping how they spend their discretionary income and leisure time.
This shift has driven growth in the UK competitive socialising market, which blends activities such as bowling, mini-golf, table tennis, and bingo with social interaction.
Hollywood Bowl is at the forefront of this trend. Through our active refurbishment programme, constant evolution of our new centre environments, consistently high service standards, and new product innovations, we continue to set the benchmark for competitive socialising in the UK.
These differentiators combined with our family focus and prime location strategy, ensure we remain ahead of a number of new adult focused entrants, and continue to reinforce our market leadership position in this evolving sector.
1,719
Bowling lanes
£212.4m
FY2025 UK Revenue
Bowling centres in Canada have historically suffered from low levels of investment leading to a decline in the standard of the customer experience.
Through our acquisitions, subsequent refurbishments and Splitsville rebrand programmes, we have elevated the physical environment inside and outside of the centres.
These upgrades cover every aspect within the centre including improving the bowling experience with Pins on Strings and new seating, stylish diner and bar areas, new signage and reception desks and extended amusements areas with new machines, digital payment and improved redemption offers.
Alongside environment upgrades, our team member development programmes and customer feedback surveys have elevated the in-centre service experience for our customers.
371
Bowling lanes
CAD 70m
FY2025 Candian revenue
Many bowling centres in Canada have historically suffered from low levels of investment leading to a decline in the standard of the customer experience.
Opportunity
Existing centre environments and customer experience are ripe for upgrading to attract a new leisure clientele, following the approach taken by recent entrants into the broader Canadian leisure market.
Response
We are investing in upgrading the centre environments through refurbishments and new centre builds, introducing features like VIP lanes and digital signage. Our team member development programmes are also aimed at improving the service experience.
With over 170 single-owned or small multi-site ten-pin bowling operators, the opportunity for market consolidation under a single brand is significant.
Opportunity
Well capitalised businesses like Hollywood Bowl Group can increase their share of the ten-pin bowling and wider leisure market as smaller operators become financially challenged, unable to invest in capital projects, or seek to exit the market.
Response
Our centre acquisition model focuses on acquiring existing centres in prime locations and adopting the subsequent rebrand and refurbishment strategy that we have employed in the UK.
