Lane7 Group shows no sign of slowing down its nationwide expansion plan, with the FEC and bowling brand now having acquired Par 59, the minigolf experience founded in 2022 in Cardiff by Elevens Group and Depot, which also operates a sister site in Bristol.
Lane7 Group has announced the acquisition of minigolf-themed competitive socialising experience Par 59, which was founded in Cardiff in 2022 through a joint venture between Elevens Group and Depot.
The bowling group will renovate and reopen the flagship two-storey site on St Mary Street as part of the Lane7 estate later this year, but will maintain the company’s sister venue in Bristol under the Par 59 banner.
“Par 59 is a strong business with two well-established sites, and we’re pleased to be taking it forward in Bristol whilst expanding our Lane7 brand in Cardiff,” said Lane7 MD Gavin Hughes.
“We believe our differentiated positioning puts us in a strong position to continue making the most of opportunities like these, which we expect to continue over the next 24 months as the market matures and consolidates further.”
The acquisition is the latest in a series of positive announcements for the Newcastle-based bowling brand, which will open its 30th site next year after securing a 27,000 sq ft unit at Guildhall Shopping Centre in Exeter.
The group now operates multiple sites in London, Birmingham and Newcastle, alongside a nationwide estate that includes Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol and Milton Keynes, as well as a European footprint in Berlin and Dublin.
Speaking during a recent earnings call, Hughes told investors: “We continue to trade positively off the back of an excellent Christmas period. The current economic climate presents the same hurdles for everyone, but we’re happy to be in a position of strength to meet them.”
Commenting on the Par 59 acquisition, Elevens Group co-owner Jamie Humphreys said “Par 59 has been a brilliant part of Cardiff’s hospitality scene over the last few years, and we’re incredibly proud of what was created there in partnership with Depot.”
“From day one, the aim was to bring something fun, high-quality and genuinely exciting into the city centre, and it’s been fantastic to see so many people come through the doors and enjoy it with us.”
“We’re proud of what the brand achieved, and this felt like the right time to hand it on.”
Expansion par for the course
Gavin Hughes said… “We continue to trade positively off the back of an excellent Christmas period. The current economic climate presents the same hurdles for everyone, but we’re happy to be in a position of strength to meet them…
