All Competitive socialising articles
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InterviewsTOCA Social: ‘We’ve learnt to be more secure and proud of our football heritage’
As the competitive socialising concepts marks its fifth birthday, group president Alex Harman discusses the brand’s evolution and how it is tapping into football’s fast-growing popularity in the US
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Analysis & InsightFrom pints to play: The growth of experience-led bars
With consumers demanding more value from every occasion, experience-led pub and bar concepts are outgrowing the market. Operators from Flight Club, Little Door & Co, Vagabond and Inception Group are proving that memorable moments can be just as important as food and drink in driving footfall and growth.
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InterviewsMarket Halls: ‘We’ve moved away from the transactional relationship and into the emotional’
Following a ‘landmark’ year, the food hall operator is looking to take advantage of consolidation in the market to grow its estate while also evolving the concept and guest experience
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InterviewsPoolhouse can work in ‘many towns and cities' in UK
CEO and co-founder Andrew O’Brien tells MCA initial reaction to the tech-led pool group’s debut London site has been ‘amazing’ with strong repeat business and opportunities to evolve the concept
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NewsIn pictures: Five Iron Golf launches UK flagship
The US-founded experiential golf concept has opened its first UK outpost at Broadgate in the City of London amid plans to eventually open 10 locations across the UK
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NewsNightcap in talks about multimillion pound fundraising deal
It’s reported the late-night operator has approached investors about a seven-figure capital injection to finance the purchase of a sizeable ‘competitive socialising’ leisure concept
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NewsRed Engine revamps Electric Shuffle gameplay
CEO Steve Moore said the company would dedicate 2026 to enhancing the Electric Shuffle experience through new gameplay developments aimed at ‘redefining’ the customer journey
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NewsFive Iron Golf to invest £20m in UK expansion
The tech-driven, experiential golf concept is set to launch its first UK outpost in the City of London this week under a 10-site franchise agreement
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NewsJonathan Peters joins US padel business No Strings as fractional CFO
The former F1 Arcade CEO will support No Strings across finance, legal, commercial and fundraising with a view to stepping into the role full-time following its Series A funding round
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NewsMarket Halls to expand competitive socialising concept
The London-based group will launch Games Hall at its Canary Wharf site following a successful trial, amid growing demand for immersive, multi-dimensional leisure experiences
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NewsF1 Arcade names new CEO as Jonathan Peters departs
Former Gordon Ramsay Restaurants COO Mat Horvath is to step into the driver’s seat at the competitive socialising group as it enters ‘a new phase of scale and operational focus’
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NewsXP Factory remains confident about Boom despite continued sales decline
Chief executive Richard Harpham says the group remains confident in the future of its competitive socialising business Boom Battle Bar, despite an 8% drop in like-for-like sales during FY2026.
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NewsFlight Club set to hit billion-dart milestone
The competitive socialising brand is to open its latest UK outpost this week in Reading and is in the throes of plotting further expansion both here and internationally
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NewsLane7 acquires Par 59
Bowling and entertainment business Lane7 has snapped up the two-site mini golf, smart darts and turbo shuffleboard brand as it looks to grow its presence across the UK.
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NewsPuttshack warns of ‘material uncertainty’ over parent company covenant breaches
The competitive socialising group says its parent company is actively discussing refinancing options amid forecasts it will breach it covenants at various testing dates over the next year
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Analysis & InsightIs competitive socialising reaching saturation point in the UK?
The experiential leisure segment continues to expand at a rapid rate, but there are increasing signs a period of market correction and consolidation could be close
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NewsSale discussions continue following Sixes administration
The experiential cricket concept, which called in administrators back in December, has now shuttered several locations having been ‘unable to achieve a sustainable operating model amid fierce competition’
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InterviewsXP Factory ‘hopeful we’ll see confidence come back this year’
Chief executive Richard Harpham tells MCA investors remain confident in the experiential leisure group despite it recently revising down profit forecasts
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NewsSocial golf concept Pitch looks to drive expansion through franchising
The competitive socialising brand has partnered with Presman & Colard to accelerate its expansion through franchising following ‘impressive’ year on year growth
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NewsXP Factory revises down profit forecasts and slows new openings
The experiential leisure industry suffered negative LFL sales growth in the calendar year 2025 of around -9%, according to independent data