Leisure operator Lane7 is preparing to open a new venue in Exeter’s Guildhall Shopping Centre, with 30 jobs expected to be created when the development opens in early 2027.
The Lane7 Exeter venue will occupy 27,000 sq ft across two floors in the heart of the city centre. Announced in April 2026, the Exeter location will become the company’s 30th site as the leisure brand continues its expansion across the UK.
Known for combining tenpin bowling with a wider entertainment offer, Lane7 operates venues designed for families during the day as well as the adult evening market. The company already has locations in major cities including Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool, as well as sites further afield in Berlin and Dublin.
Lane7 Exeter adds to city centre leisure offer
For Exeter, the arrival represents another investment in the city centre leisure economy and will bring a substantial Guildhall Shopping Centre space into use. Exeter City Council is the landlord of the site and was represented in the deal by Jackson Criss, while Torridon acted for Lane7.
The expected creation of 30 jobs will also give the opening a direct employment impact within the city.
Managing director Gavin Hughes said: “We’ve been desperate to open in Exeter for some time, so we’re thrilled to have secured an expansive two-floor site in the heart of a buzzing city centre in the south west of England.
“It’s a competitive market, but Exonians know how to have a good time, and we’re confident we’re bringing a distinctive, unique and premium experience to the city’s entertainment and night time scene. We can’t wait to get bowling in Exeter.”
Lane7 opened its first venue in Newcastle upon Tyne in 2013 and has since expanded across the UK. Its wider group also operates the LevelX, Gutterball and ML7 brands.
The expected creation of 30 jobs adds to a wider picture of employment and skills development in Exeter. Devon Business News recently reported on the Met Office and Microsoft launch of a South West digital careers hub from Exeter, another initiative aimed at connecting people with employment and training opportunities across the region.
More information about the leisure operator and its existing venues is available from Lane7.
Businesses operating in Exeter and elsewhere across Devon can also submit a free company listing to Devon Business Directory, with Business Leader listings and featured articles available for organisations looking to raise their profile across the county.
Source: Lane7 Group press release, April 2026
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