Leisure firm to launch underground gaming centre in Newcastle city centre building

A gaming centre is set to open underneath 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 end 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. We 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.

• Read more: Lane7 to launch two new Newcastle city centre leisure venues this year

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The move paved the way for impressive redevelopment at the building, which is currently ongoing. Plans issued by property agents last year showed how a luxury rooftop area with a bar and restaurant will be created, although an operator has yet to be revealed. The lower floors of the building are also being stripped out, making way for new leisure and retail operators.

And 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, taking over two floors at the former nightclub and bar The Lofts and The Hustle. The company said Lane7 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, 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.