Member Article

Lane7 expand with £10k investment and ten new jobs

Boutique bowling venue, Lane7 is to expand its operations with the opening of its 10,000sq ft basement next month.

Since opening in central Newcastle in October last year, the contemporary two-floored venue has been a huge hit on the North East entertainment scene attracting night-time revelers, children’s parties and corporate team building days.

The stylish finish, combined with an inventive and high quality 75-seater restaurant, has pulled in the crowds to such an extent that the waiting list to bowl at peak times on Friday and Saturday night stretches into several weeks.

More than 30 jobs were created with the £750k opening and owner, Tim Wilks, says the £100k investment into transforming the basement, to be named The Ball Room, will create ten more new positions.

He explained: “We’ve been overwhelmed with the response since opening. The time is right to expand into the basement. However, this isn’t going to just be ‘more of the same.’

“We have some definite ideas about what we’re going to launch with in mid-April in the Ball Room. And its not just going to be more bowling. Yes, we are adding two more lanes, but we’ve also got some great new ideas that will be given the typical Lane7 treatment.

“I think the best way to describe the Ball Room will be as a chameleon space. It has all been designed to change with our mood and also to fit into major worldwide or national events. Nothing will last very long though, and we’re all ears on what else people might like to enjoy down there.”

While staying tight-lipped about its first incarnation, Wilks did concede that plans are already finalised to turn it into a Bavarian-style Bierkeller in time of the upcoming football World Cup in June and July, showing every game on HD large screens.

Lane7, located on St James’ Boulevard in Central Newcastle, has a ‘Manhattan warehouse’ style feel to it and has been a popular venue for photoshoots, product launches and corporate meetings. Wilks predicts the Ball Room in the basement will be an ideal venue for private parties, celebrations and wedding ceremonies.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .