Hollywood Bowl skittles costly rivals and posts sales jump

Families facing a cash squeeze are hitting the bowling lanes rather than picking up a putter for crazy golf or opting to go on other, pricier days out, it was claimed on Friday.

Hollywood Bowl posted strong full-year figures and said, despite rising inflation, customers were still flocking to the 10-pin bowling chain.

The firm, which has 58 centres including in North Finchley and Surrey Quays, saw sales at venues open for a year or more rise 3.5% in the year to September 30.

Finance chief Laurence Keen said: “People don’t mind paying £5.96 for a bowling game, and they see it as a much cheaper option than playing crazy golf or a trip to the cinema or trampoline park.”

Hollywood Bowl expects revenues and pre-tax profits to be ahead of the £114 million and £20 million analysts had pencilled in.

The shares gained 3.33p to 187.33p.

The leisure company floated at 160p per share in September 2016.