At the heart of Middlesborough town centre you’ll find Captain Cook Square. This 400,00sq ft shopping centre has been the retail hub of the town for years. However, the last few years have seen the council take hold of this strategically important site and they have been transforming it.
In an effort to address the high street’s decline the master plan for Captain Cook Square is bold and inspiring. The plan draws on £9m of investment to create a better balance of retail, leisure and hospitality venues in the hope that they will drive foot fall to the town centre and revitalise the high street.
The plan has always been to bring in a boutique cinema, microbreweries and a bowling alley. Now, it has been announced that the bowling operator occupying that space will be Lane7. The prominent site was formerly a TJ Hughes located at 18-19 Captain Cook Square. The application for the Grant of a Premises Licence was submitted to Middlesbrough Council Licensing Authority on 25th August and includes an application to be open and sell alcohol until 2am every evening.
Lane7 operate boutique bowling alleys with a distinctive urban feel. At many of their venues, not only do you get to enjoy tenpin bowling but they also offer arcades, beer pong, mini golf, pool, ping pong and karaoke. The vibe is driven by their in-house DJs and to get you in the party mood there is an extensive bar with cocktail menu.
Lane7 already operate a site in Middlesborough, on Albert Road, which opened at the end of 2017. It’s not uncommon for bowling companies to open multiple sites in the same city. Roxy Ball Room, for example, have three venues in Leeds, two in Manchester, two in Nottingham and two in Liverpool.
When speaking about the development of a leisure hub as part of Captain Cook Square, Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston said: “It’s been the toughest of years, but the future still looks bright for our high street.
“The world has changed massively, but we’re changing with it, and the Future High Streets Fund is the key that will unlock Middlesbrough’s potential for decades to come.
“By building a new urban community in the heart of town, we can boost our population and create an amazing town centre for the 21st century that will bring in visitors and spending.
“The interest it’s already attracting speaks volumes about its potential, and will pave the way for the creation of one of the best leisure and culture hubs anywhere in the UK.
“It really is the game-changer that will underpin the town’s future success and prosperity.”
Main image: Lane7 Middlesbrough
