Lane7 tees up Par 59 takeover

A leisure and entertainment operator is expanding its footprint with the takeover of an emerging mini golf-led hospitality brand.

Darlington-headquartered Lane7 Group has acquired Par 59, including its Cardiff and Bristol sites, signalling a new chapter for the growing social gaming business.

Par 59 was launched in March 2022 through a joint venture between Elevens Group, co-owned by the former Wales and Real Madrid football star Gareth Bale and Jamie Humphrys, as well as DEPOT. 

The brand quickly gained traction in the competitive socialising market, combining mini golf with food and drink in a city centre setting, first in Cardiff before expanding to Bristol.

The Cardiff venue also played a role in revitalising a long-vacant site on St Mary Street, later expanding with the addition of an upstairs ‘Shuffles’ bar space in 2023.

Under the new ownership, the Cardiff site will temporarily close for refurbishment before reopening as a Lane7 venue, while the Bristol location will continue to operate under the Par 59 brand.

Jamie 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.

“I’d like to thank everyone involved in the venue – including Gareth, the staff and customers - and everyone who supported Par 59 along the way. 

“We’re proud of what the brand achieved, and this felt like the right time to hand it on.”

Nick Saunders, founder of DEPOT, added: “Together with Elevens Group, we built a brand with real momentum in Cardiff and Bristol, but the opportunity to sell came at the right time for all parties. 

“For DEPOT, it allows us to stay focused on the areas where we see the biggest opportunity for growth and impact, particularly live music, major events and large-scale experiences in Cardiff. 

“We remain hugely ambitious about what we’re building, and proud of the role Par 59 has played in that wider story.” 

Gavin Hughes, managing director of Lane7 Group, which also includes Lane7, Level X, Gutterball and ML7 brands in its portfolio, added: “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. 

“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.”

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