UK Bowling Centres Market Study

Bowling is a fun-filled family activity enjoyed by people from all walks of life. A family activity perfect for grandparents since old people enjoy it as much as young adults and kids. It is ideal for birthday parties, corporate events, and a night out with friends. Bowling is a skillful sport that provides good exercise, and healthy competition. It can be easily mastered with practice and can be played as a team sport.

In the UK, ten-pin bowling was introduced in 1960, and was instantly successful. The Stamford Hill and Golders Green bowling alleys were the first to open up in London, which led to several new alleys. During the 60s there were over 160 bowling alleys in the UK. However, during the 70s the bowling industry nearly collapsed after a major chain operator pulled out by converting its luxurious alleys into bingo halls. About two thirds of the alleys closed down during 1970s, and the industry was at a decline with no new investment. The industry's decline was a result of the complex manual scoring system.

However, in 1982 two factors phenomenally revived the industry with the introduction of automated electronic scoring systems and the super hit movie, Grease 2. The new electronic system was easy, it only required the general public to enter their names into the computers and everything else was done automatically. The musical, Grease 2, completely changed the image of the sport which was regarded as an older person's or a gentleman's sport. The song, Score Tonight, in the movie spurred great interest in the sport among young people.

This led to the 80s golden age of bowling as people started re-investing in the sport and the construction of many bright, modern and attractive bowling alleys. The number of ten-pin bowling alleys rose to over two hundred during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Presently, in the UK there are several bowling centres that are listed on SearchMe4, the UK's leading online business directory. The atmosphere is out of this world with our cosmic glow-in-the-dark bowling alley. Contemporary bowling alleys use the latest technology featuring glow-in-the-dark bowling lanes, UV lighting and special 3D graphics, and audio-visual technology. They are usually equipped with flat screen TVs, plasma TVs, sports score, and news ticker. A sports bar is also present inside the bowling alley along with a restaurant serving food and beverages for customers who wish to take a bite or two.