Planning permission has been granted for a new 21-lane bowling alley and family entertainment centre at The Boulevard shopping complex in Banbridge.
Hollywood Bowl has already been signed up as the operator for the 23,000 sq ft venture, which is due to open in early 2026.
It will be the leisure group’s second site in Northern Ireland, three years on from the launch of its alley at the Odyssey complex in Belfast, which features 20 lanes, a diner, arcade and pool tables.
The new site in Banbridge is part of a wider £9 million investment by Lotus Property to create a new food and entertainment quarter at the Co Down retail destination.
The plans involve a 60,000 sq ft expansion of The Boulevard on the western side of the scheme.
Lotus Property’s managing director, Alastair Coulson, said the green light for the bowling alley effectively pulls the trigger on the multi-million-pound redevelopment project.
“The Boulevard is already a successful destination for families and the arrival of Hollywood Bowl and the tranche of new F&B tenants that we expect to follow will support its transition into a compelling day-to-night option for customers,” he said.
Hollywood Bowl currently operates 75 sites across the UK.
Laurence Keen, chief finance officer at the FTSE 250-listed leisure group said: “The brand performs extremely well across the UK offering an affordable contemporary entertainment experience for families, and friends to come together for fun games, enjoy food and drink and really make a day of it.
“We are encouraged by The Boulevard’s strong performance and are looking forward to joining the solid roster of tenant brands on site, welcoming customers keen to make the most of the scheme’s retail and leisure mix.”
