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ronments. At 60,000sq ft, the venue is not just a roof top bar, but a across most major cities in the UK. Lane7 has become synonymous 1
space built with multi-dimensional purpose for experiences that blend with reshaping tenpin bowling experiences in city centre locations,
food, drink, music and culture, positioning it as a blueprint for future delivering a premium combination of daytime family-friendly and
mixed-use developments. From large scale events, corporate hospitali- night time grown-up experiences.
ty and day-to-night experiential use, the new venue offers a diverse mix The global pioneer in interactive group gaming, Immersive Game-
of amenities, with features such as the UK’s largest retractable-roof, a box, has signed a multi-million pound franchise agreement with Be-
purpose-built music venue and a curated mix of Newcastle born and yond Box Operations to open 30 sites across the UK in the next five
bred food & drink operators, framing Freight Island as a standout ex- years. The partnership combines Immersive Gamebox’s proprietary
periential destination across the UK and Europe. As retail environ- interactive gaming technology with a leadership team experienced
ments continue to shift towards experience-led models, developments in scaling consumer brands in high-footfall retail environments, a
like this demonstrate how landlords can ensure the continued success model designed to capitalise on the growing demand for experiential
of assets by creating culture-led destinations that attract repeat visits retail. Working with major studios including Netflix, Warner Bros.
and new audiences by adding to the entertainment ecosystem of a city. and Sony, it allows players to step inside interactive digital games
The flagship Arcade Arena by Little Lion Entertainment is sche- inspired by global entertainment franchises such as Squid Game,
duled to open in London in summer 2026. The immersive gaming Batman and Floor Is Lava, using projection mapping, touch-sensiti-
venue, which follows successful launches in Manchester and Dubai, ve walls and motion tracking technology. The concept already has a
allows players to physically step into classic retro and next-gen vi- global network of more than 35 locations across the UK, US, Cana-
deo games. Set to be the most ambitious Arcade Arena to date, the da, France, Germany and Saudi Arabia.
London site will feature three major multiplayer worlds, including GRID Braehead in Scotland continues to strengthen its position
the PAC-MAN LIVE EXPERIENCE (a walk-in, full-scale Pac-Man as one of the UK’s leading immersive entertainment destinations,
maze), Chaos Karts (a real-life racing game) and an exclusive new bringing together a dynamic mix of attractions, family experiences,
game titled Alien Invasion. dining and leisure. Home to operators including ODEON Luxe,
Meanwhile, Lane7 Group has secured its 30th site, with a new Tenpin, Paradise Island Adventure Golf and Adventure Land Soft
boutique bowling venue set to open in Exeter in early 2027. The Play - a new soft play concept - the destination continues to evolve 2
new location in the city’s Guildhall Shopping Centre will comprise with further family-friendly leisure operators and hospitality con-
27,000sq ft across two floors and marks another significant miles- cepts set to be announced. Momentum is building with the upco-
tone in the continued growth of the Lane7 brand, which has sites ming launch of e-karting and a purpose-built, high-quality out-

Main image: Lane7, 1 2
Manchester, UK
1. Arcade Arena
2. GRID Braehead,
Renfrew, Scotland 1. Sphere Abu Dhabi, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE
2. Flying Over Saudi, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

door padel facility in 2026, introducing a game-changing indoor leisure and lifestyle entertainment venue in the Middle East will be
track and state-of-the-art facilities as part of a multi-million-pound in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital city. With discovery, personal deve-
investment programme. This is all in addition to the new Laser lopment and community at its heart, URWLD will offer an immer-
IMAX installation at ODEON and forthcoming upgrades from sive experience like no other. An inspiring, energised and highly ac-
Funstation and Paradise Island Adventure Golf. With over two tive environment boasting more than a dozen adventure sports and
million visitors welcomed in 2025, GRID Braehead’s broad leisure experiences from around the world in one indoor facility, URWLD
and F&B offer continues to drive strong footfall, repeat visitation combines elevated hospitality with lifestyle-inspired food and drink
and long-term destination growth. experiences, appealing to both adventure-seeking participants and
The Flying Over Saudi experience was launched at the end of last non-participants alike. Set to open ahead of 2030, the announce-
year at Boulevard City as part of Riyadh Season, introducing visitors ment marks the first step in URWLD’s anticipated multi-site, mul-
to the first experience of its kind in the Kingdom. Developed by the ti-format platform across the Kingdom.
Taiwanese simulator manufacturer Brogent Technologies, in colla- Abu Dhabi's culture and tourism department has awarded a $1.7bn
boration with the Saudi engineering firm Takwenat, the attraction construction contract for Sphere Abu Dhabi on Yas Island to Alec En-
provides a cinematic aerial journey using immersive technologies gineering and Contracting. Construction on the first Sphere venue
and multisensory effects that display Saudi Arabia’s most significant outside of the US is expected to be completed by the end of 2029. It will
natural and urban landscapes from a new perspective. The experien- be built on a plot of land between Yas Mall and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi,
ce takes guests on a visual journey over the Kingdom’s diverse terra- in close proximity to Yas Island's other theme parks and experiences.
in, taking in Saudi Arabia’s vast deserts, towering mountains, lush With a capacity of up to 20,000, the new entertainment destination
valleys, modern cities and expansive coastlines, in addition to spe- will offer immersive experiences, concert residencies, sporting events
cial views of the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah. Each and brand activations. The project encompasses the complete design,
ride lasts about eight minutes, enhanced by sensory effects such as procurement and construction of the new Sphere venue, featuring sta-
wind, water mist and natural scent elements, along with innovative te-of-the-art immersive technology systems, advanced structural and
seat motion that intensifies the sense of realism and creates an expe- mechanical engineering, bespoke manufacturing and installation and
rience close to actual flight. integrated sustainable building systems. The original Sphere, launched
At the inaugural TOURISE Summit in Riyadh last November, in 2023 in Las Vegas, is the largest spherical structure in the world with
URWLD (‘Your World’) announced that its first destination sports, an exterior featuring 580,000sq ft of LED lighting.

48 Retail & Leisure International June 2026 June 2026 Retail & Leisure International 49