Hollywood Bowl Group plc Centre reopening update (3951T)

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RNS Number : 3951T

Hollywood Bowl Group plc

17 July 2020

Hollywood Bowl Group plc

Centre reopening update

Hollywood Bowl Group plc ("Hollywood Bowl" or the "Group"), the UK's market leading ten-pin bowling operator, announces that following the Government's announcement on 17 July 2020, it will reopen all of its English centres on 1 August 2020.

The Group has a robust reopening strategy and a strong balance sheet which means that the business is well placed to reopen 54 of its centres on 1 August 2020. The remaining six centres in Scotland and Wales are ready to reopen once the restrictions in the devolved administrations are lifted. Customers will be able to pre-book lanes in advance of the opening date from today.

The Group has comprehensive COVID-secure operating bowling protocols in place, in addition to adopting the operating measures published by UK Hospitality and endorsed by the Government for bar, diner and amusement areas. These include enhanced cleaning and social distancing measures, with customer guidance throughout the centres.

The Group will begin the process of un-furloughing its team members and will provide training on the new COVID-secure operating procedures. It will initially operate with reduced opening hours for off-peak periods and revised rotas to support these new operational measures. More information on these can be seen on Hollywood Bowl's website www.hollywoodbowl.co.uk/have-fun-play-safe.

Stephen Burns, Chief Executive of Hollywood Bowl:

"We welcome today's announcement which will enable us to reopen all of our English centres on Saturday 1(st) August. We have been working hard developing social distancing policies, capacity management and enhanced sanitisation for our spacious centres. They are ready to reopen and we look forward to welcoming back our team members and customers who will once again be able to enjoy a safe and enjoyable entertainment experience."

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Enquiries:

 
 Hollywood Bowl Group                         via Tulchan Communications 
  Steve Burns, Chief Executive 
  Laurence Keen, Chief Financial Officer 
  Mat Hart, Chief Marketing and Technology 
  Officer 
 
 Tulchan Communications 
  James Macey White 
  Elizabeth Snow 
  Amber Ahluwalia                             [phone] 
 

Notes to Editors:

The COVID-secure measures include but are not limited to:

   --    Reduced customer capacity at centres to maintain social distancing 
   --    Alternate lanes to provide extra space between each game taking place 
   --    Pre-booking only for peak periods 
   --    Bowlers asked to arrive slightly ahead of their booking time with measures to manage queues 
   --    Bowling groups restricted to a maximum of six people per lane 
   --    Food and drink can be pre-ordered from the in-centre diners and bars 
   --    Amusement machines, as well as bar and diner seating, appropriately spaced out 

-- A new visual guidance campaign "Have Fun - Play Safe" throughout venues to remind customers to maintain a safe distance from others

   --    Customers will be asked to wear their own footwear 
   --    Customers will be given the option of wearing disposable gloves 

-- Enhanced cleaning will take place throughout the day, including the cleaning of bowling balls, lane seating and touch screens after every game

   --    All team members will undergo daily temperature checks 
   --    Safety shields at all tills to protect both team members and customers 

-- Upon entering the centre, customers will be expected to use hand sanitiser, which will be readily available from dispensers

Hollywood Bowl Group is the UK's largest ten-pin bowling operator, with a high-quality portfolio of 61 centres operating across the UK under the Hollywood Bowl, AMF and Puttstars (mini golf) brands. The Group specialises in operating large, high quality bowling centres, predominantly located in out of town multi-use leisure parks (typically co-located with cinema and casual dining sites) and large retail parks. The centres are designed to offer a complete family entertainment experience with each centre offering bowling lanes, on-site dining, licensed bars, and state-of-the-art family games arcades.

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July 17, 2020 10:53 ET (14:53 GMT)