Lane7 Expands with Acquisition of Par 59 Mini Golf Sites in Cardiff and Bristol
North East boutique bowling alley operator Lane7 has expanded its portfolio with the acquisition of mini golf, darts, and shuffleboard business Par 59 in Cardiff and Bristol. The undisclosed deal marks a strategic move for the Darlington-based group, which already operates sites across the UK.
The Cardiff venue will close temporarily for refurbishment before reopening under the Lane7 brand, while the Bristol premises on Millennium Promenade will continue to trade as Par 59. This acquisition allows Lane7 to strengthen its footprint in key urban markets.
Background of Par 59
Par 59 was established in March 2022 as a joint venture between Elevens Group, co-owned by football star Gareth Bale and Jamie Humphrys, and Depot. It initially launched in Cardiff city centre, repurposing the long-vacant St Mary Street site with a mini golf, food, and drink concept. In 2023, it expanded with the addition of the upstairs ‘Shuffles’ bar space before moving into Bristol.
Following the sale, Elevens Group will focus on other opportunities, including its Elevens Bar & Grill on Castle Street, while Depot will concentrate on Cardiff's live music and events scene through its 2,000-capacity venue and events at Cardiff Castle and Blackweir Fields.
Statements from Key Figures
Jamie Humphrys, co-owner of Elevens Group, expressed pride in Par 59's achievements, stating, "Par 59 has been a brilliant part of Cardiff’s hospitality scene over the last few years. From day one, the aim was to bring something fun, high-quality, and genuinely exciting into the city centre, and it’s been fantastic to see so many people enjoy it. This felt like the right time to hand it on."
Nick Saunders, founder of Depot, added, "Together with Elevens Group, we built a brand with real momentum in Cardiff and Bristol, but the opportunity to sell came at the right time for all parties. For Depot, it allows us to stay focused on live music and major events in Cardiff."
Gavin Hughes, managing director of Lane7 Group, commented, "Par 59 is a strong business with two well-established sites. We’re pleased to be taking it forward in Bristol whilst expanding our Lane7 brand in Cardiff. We believe our differentiated positioning puts us in a strong position to continue making the most of opportunities like these."
Lane7's Growth Trajectory
Lane7, which launched its first bowling alley in Newcastle in 2013 on St James’ Boulevard, has since expanded to 13 other sites across the UK, including cities like Liverpool, Bristol, Edinburgh, Manchester, and Sheffield. Last summer, the company opened two new sites in Newcastle at The Gate and Monument Mall.
This acquisition is part of Lane7's broader strategy to capitalize on market consolidation, with Hughes noting expectations for continued opportunities over the next 24 months as the leisure sector matures.
