Hollywood Bowl Group has started work on a new multi-million-pound entertainment centre at The Meadows Shopping Centre in Chelmsford.
Scheduled to open in winter 2026, the two-storey venue will become Hollywood Bowl’s 80th UK opening as the leisure operator continues to expand its estate.
The new centre will feature 21 ten-pin bowling lanes, including VIP lanes, alongside interactive darts, pool tables and an amusements area.
Food and beverage will form part of the offer through a Hollywood Diner and licensed bar.
The diner will follow the group’s established format with burgers, hot dogs and other casual dishes, while the bar will serve beers, cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks.
Chelmsford will also become the first Hollywood Bowl venue to introduce Neoverse, a new technology integrated into the bowling experience.
The system projects graphics, lighting effects and live scoring information above the bowling pins, adding an interactive visual element to traditional gameplay.
Interactive darts will provide a further competitive socialising element, incorporating nine game modes, automatic scoring and digital challenges.
The venue will occupy Unit 38 at The Meadows Shopping Centre in the heart of Chelmsford.
Earlier plans for the development placed Hollywood Bowl in a substantial approximately 30,000 sq ft unit, with the operator expected to anchor an expanding leisure offer alongside the centre’s existing Odeon cinema and food and beverage businesses.
Stephen Burns, CEO of Hollywood Bowl Group, said: “We are pleased to announce that work has begun at our new family entertainment centre at the popular The Meadows Shopping Centre in Chelmsford.
“This marks a key step in our strategic growth and expansion across the UK. This new location reflects our commitment to enhancing our presence and offering high-quality entertainment facilities.
“Located in the heart of Chelmsford, this fantastic new venue brings a truly varied leisure offering to Essex.
“Our ongoing commitment to investing in communities and innovating in the leisure industry continues to drive our success and strengthen our position in the market.”
Hollywood Bowl Group currently operates 78 centres across its Hollywood Bowl and Putt & Play brands in the UK, alongside 16 Splitsville bowling centres in Canada, according to the company’s announcement.
The group has continued investing in larger, multi-activity centres as part of its expansion strategy.
Its recently opened Hollywood Bowl XL at St David’s Cardiff combines 20 bowling lanes with interactive darts, electric go-karting, amusements and food and beverage facilities.
The Chelmsford project also forms part of a wider evolution of The Meadows into a mixed retail and leisure destination.
The shopping centre comprises approximately 176,000 sq ft of retail space alongside a multi-screen cinema, leisure facilities and food and beverage operators.
Sue Patel, General Manager at The Meadows Shopping Centre, said: “Hollywood Bowl is a fantastic addition to The Meadows, bringing world class entertainment from bowling and interactive darts to great food and drink right to the heart of Chelmsford.
“This is a truly exciting milestone for The Meadows as we continue to grow our offering and cement our position as the go-to destination for unforgettable experiences in the city.”
Hollywood Bowl Chelmsford will open in winter 2026.
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