Our markets

Our position as market leader in both the ten-pin bowling and competitive socialising markets enhances our ability to respond to changing market dynamics.

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.

Market trends

Competitive socialising

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.

Leader in an evolving market

Ten-pin bowling continues to be the cornerstone of the UK’s growing and diverse competitive socialising sector. It offers an inclusive, fun, and affordable experience for friends, families, and work colleagues, making it one of the most resilient and appealing leisure activities in the market. Hollywood Bowl remains the undisputed market leader in this space, operating under a brand synonymous with quality, innovation and value, with a primary focus on the core family market. Our centres are designed to deliver exceptional customer experiences and are predominantly located in prime out-oftown retail and leisure destinations with ample parking. These multi-use locations typically combine cinemas, casual dining, and other entertainment options, creating a vibrant environment that attract high footfall and encourages extended visits.

Under invested sector

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.

Disruptor in an established market

Canada was chosen as the Group’s first international territory due to a variety of favourable market characteristics. It has a population of 42 million, concentrated in a small number of key regional areas. This combines with attractive demographics, economic and legal stability, similar consumer habits to the UK, and weather extremes making indoor leisure popular.

Why invest

Hollywood Bowl Group is the market leader with national scale, operating a high-quality, well-invested estate with diverse revenue streams and multiple levers to drive further growth.

Results, reports and presentations

All our recent and archived results, reports and presentations.

Our brands and locations

Hollywood Bowl Group is the UK’s largest ten-pin bowling operator. We have 77 bowling and four mini-golf centres, each equipped with an average of 24 bowling lanes or three, nine hole mini-golf courses, a licensed bar, a diner and an amusements zone featuring the latest games designed to keep everyone entertained.