UK leisure facility reports "robust" recovery alongside national expansion

A UK ten-pin bowling operator has announced its 2021 trading update ending September 30 with a “robust” recovery following the lifting of Covid restrictions.

Hollywood Bowl Group plc saw its nationwide facilities closed for 50 per cent of the trading year.

However, following the national re-opening on May 17 2021 the leisure firm saw a 29 per cent like-for-like revenue growth compared to the 2019 financial year.

The firm has also reported total revenue of £61.3m since reopening on May 17, and a total of £74.6m for the 2021 financial year.

Hollywood Bowl Group plc attributes part of the recovery to “exceptional” trading through the school holiday period.

Progress is being made regarding expansion with two new sites under construction in Harrow and Birmingham.

Stephen Burns, chief executive of Hollywood Bowl Group said: “I am delighted at the pace and strength of our recovery since reopening. It has been fantastic to welcome our customers back in record numbers, and to see families and friends enjoying their time in our bowling and mini-golf centres once again.

“I would particularly like to thank our team members who have demonstrated great resilience and enthusiasm despite the challenges of the last year and continue to provide safe and enjoyable experiences for our customers.

“We took a number of actions to ensure that the Group was in as strong as possible position to reopen, and our balance sheet strength is allowing us to accelerate our proven strategy of delivering growth from investing in new and existing centres and customer-led innovation.”

Hollywood Bowl expects to report its Full Year results on December 14 2021.