Leisure firm Lane7 to launch subterranean gaming centre in Newcastle city centre

A subterranean gaming centre is set to open in a prime Northumberland Street building, new documents have revealed.

Boutique bowling company Lane7 has previously revealed how it plans to have three Newcastle city centre sites up and running by the of this year, investing huge sums into the city where it first opened a venue back in 2011. The entertainment experts first came to prominence with their St James’ Boulevard site and have since expanded across the UK with 13 other sites in cities including Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol, Edinburgh and Sheffield.

Now Lane7 can be revealed as the first tenant to sign up for the revamped former Sports Direct store within Monument Mall, where significant investment is being made by owners the Reuben Brothers to attract new retailers and leisure operators. It was revealed at the end of last year how work was being stepped up at the building, following tenant Sports Direct’s move out of the building, paving the way for impressive redevelopment including a luxury rooftop area with a bar and restaurant.

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The lower floors of the building have been stripped out, making way for new leisure and retail operators. Now it has emerged that Lane7 will take on the basement area of the building, creating a new gaming experience with bowling, arcade games and other activities. A premises licence application has been made by the bowling company, which plans to open from 10am to 2.30am every day.

The site plan shows how the basement area will be divided up, with drawings by John Taylor Architects, based in County Durham, detailing everything from pool tables, air hockey and arcade games to duckpin bowling lanes – which is similar to 10-pin bowling but the pins are shorter and lighter, making it more difficult to get a strike.

The plans come a month after Lane 7 confirmed it will open its second Newcastle venue at The Gate this summer, over two floors at the former nightclub and bar The Lofts and The Hustle. The company said the Gate promises to be a vibrant hub of activity where guests can immerse themselves in premium bowling, golf, shuffleboard, darts, beer pong, arcades and a pool hall.

The unit was previously occupied by The Lofts and The Hustle, part of the city superclub which was forced to close a year ago amid a Financial Conduct Authority investigation into one of its owners, John Dance.