Bowl Central, Reading

Bowl Central expanded again with a new venue in Reading, following the success of the Bournemouth and Fareham locations. Rocare was appointed to transform a former musical instrument store into a purpose built, multi zone family entertainment venue. The brief required a full shell fit-out to create bowling lanes, arcade and interactive darts areas, plus a fully equipped bar and food offering.

The programme was demanding, with tight timelines driven by imported bowling equipment deliveries, structural alterations to suit the new layout, and a complete overhaul of building services to meet the needs of a high footfall entertainment space. During the build, the project also carried personal significance following the loss of one of Bowl Central’s directors, Tracy Standish, and the team remained committed to delivering the venue as intended.

We delivered a structured, phase by phase refurbishment programme, beginning with four weeks of demolition and strip out, followed by a 22 week fit-out.

Our team managed complex site coordination throughout, keeping multiple specialist contractors moving in the right sequence and maintaining fast communication to avoid delays. We worked closely with the overseas lane supplier to programme the works around the delivery date, ensuring the unit was ready for installation in every respect.

The unit was reconfigured to support multiple entertainment zones, each able to operate independently while still feeling connected as one guest experience. This included careful planning around customer flow, acoustics, lighting requirements, and operational needs.

We completed full mechanical and electrical upgrades to support a high capacity venue, including lighting, ventilation, plumbing and integrated audio visual requirements. Finishes were selected for durability and visual impact, with bespoke joinery and feature lighting to create atmosphere while standing up to heavy daily use.

The former retail unit was successfully transformed into a modern, high performance leisure venue designed to make an impact from the moment guests arrive. The completed space includes:

A 7 lane bowling alley

Interactive darts and an arcade zone

A fully fitted bar and cocktail service area

Food service with a stone pizza oven

Pool tables and breakout spaces

The venue is built to suit a wide range of customers, from daytime family visits to evening social groups and private hires, with zoning and lighting that helps the atmosphere shift naturally throughout the day.

This third site strengthens Bowl Central’s growing estate alongside Bournemouth and Fareham, and sets a clear benchmark for future venues.