King Pins, Roxy Leisure, p Redwood Consulting

The site is King Pins' second in Greater Manchester. Credit: via Redwood Consulting

Bowling alley to fill 30,000 sq ft vacant Manchester Arndale space 

King Pins has signed to occupy the former Sports Direct store at the shopping centre. 

The bowling brand will take over the 30,000 sq ft unit that Sports Direct vacated last year. The retailer relocated to a larger, four-floor store elsewhere in Manchester Arndale, leaving its previous home empty. 

The Arndale site will be King Pins’ second location in Greater Manchester after Trafford Palazzo, where it opened a similarly sized venue this summer. 

As well as bowling, King Pins offers a variety of other activities including, curling, shuffleboard, batting cages, pool, ping pong, and karaoke. 

James Travis, brand manager for King Pins, said: “Taking our state-of-the-art bowling concept to its first city centre location is hugely exciting, and where better to do it?  

“Manchester Arndale is one of the UK’s leading shopping destinations, and already has an impressive entertainment offering alongside some of the best retailers on the high street.” 

King Pins’ Arndale deal also sees parent company Roxy Leisure expand its presence at the shopping centre; its sister brand Roxy Ball Room opened in the former Birdcage nightclub unit a few years ago. 

King Pins’ arrival further emphasises a material shift away from retail and the growth of more experiential offers – including competitive socialising and F&B – in shopping outlets across the country. 

“Leisure and entertainment operators are increasingly becoming key features of UK shopping destinations and are helping to draw in more visitors from a broader catchment group seeking social activities,” said Steve Gray, head of European retail asset management at Global Mutual, which is the joint asset manager of Manchester Arndale alongside M&G. 

“The arrival of King Pins follows our strategy of creating a diverse tenant mix at Manchester Arndale where we look to combine leading international and local brands across the retail, leisure, and F&B space to ensure we provide the best experience and choice for our customers.”  

Metis Real Estate and Time Retail Partners are the centre’s retained letting agents. 

Your Comments

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Even less reason to leave the Arndale

By Gilly

Just when you thought the Arndale centre couldn’t get worse! Demolition is the only answer.

By Anonymous

Might as well turn the Arndale into the circus. It’s become a joke

By Anonymous

Internally, the Arndale is so-so. Displacing that much commercial activity isn’t realistic. What is realistic is putting time and effort into thinking about how the exterior can be… embellished.

By Tom

Tom, I understand Nottingham are clearing their city centre shopping centre and going back to the traditional street pattern, Manchester should do similar.

By Anonymous

Concerns that the shopping centre will become a magnet for a gathering of those intent on causing trouble as occurs at the Trafford centre

By Anonymous

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