Reading could be set to gain three bowling alleys, according to plans submitted to the council.

Growing activity and entertainment company Lane7 has submitted licensing plans to hold bowling and activities and sell food, soft drinks and alcohol past midnight.

According to its website, Lane7 is more than just a bowling alley as well, as it hosts floor shuffle, ping pong, pool, and more games at the sites it runs.

If approved, the licence would allow the company to hold bowling and other activities and serve food and alcohol until 1am.

Lane7 currently has 16 sites spread across England, Scotland and Berlin.

While its website states that it is due to open more locations in Cardiff, Dublin, York, Belfast and Milton Keynes, no information on the Reading site has been provided yet.

Furthermore, a planning application for the site at the former Mothercare in King Street has not appeared on Reading Borough Council's website yet.

The Mothercare unit in Reading town centre, which has been vacant since the end of 2019, and is now set to become Lane7.The Mothercare unit in Reading town centre, which has been vacant since the end of 2019, and is now set to become Lane7. (Image: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service)

It has been widely noted that Reading has not had bowling facilities for years.

While that has been true for several years, there has been bowling at Spinners Crazy Golf and Bowling in Queens Walk, with that venue opening up in  June 2021.

Meanwhile, progress is being made on an arcade called Urban Fun that will be taking over the old New Look and Covid vaccination centre inside the Broad Street Mall.

An indicative visual of what Urban Fun Reading will look like inside the Broad Street Mall once it is open. Credit: FunBoxAn indicative visual of what Urban Fun Reading will look like inside the Broad Street Mall once it is open. Credit: FunBox

Approved plans detailed that FunBox Entertainment company in charge of the project will provide 'duckpin bowling' at the site, which uses smaller pins and shorter lanes.

But these plans were adjusted to remove the duckpin bowling element earlier this year.

At The Oracle, work is steaming ahead on transforming the riverside level of the former House of Fraser unit of The Oracle into Hollywood Bowl.

The aim is for Hollywood Bowl to open in the summer of 2025. The company is a big player in the physical entertainment industry, running the nearest bowling sites in Bracknell and Basingstoke, and a total of 70 bowling sites in the UK.

The Oracle shopping centre in Reading. The Oracle shopping centre in Reading. (Image: Hammerson)

Finally, there has been a project stretching back two years to convert the former Dawsons music store in Caversham Road into 'Bowl Central'.

Back in 2022, the closing time for the Bowl Central was negotiated down from 1am to midnight following concerns raised by the Bell Tower Community Association neighbours group.

In reporting from the start of this year,  Tracy Standish, the director of the company, stated that delays had hit the project but the company is still committed to opening.

Tracy Standish, managing director for Bowl Central UK, has given an update on when a bowling complex in Reading could open.Tracy Standish, managing director for Bowl Central UK, has given an update on when a bowling complex in Reading could open. (Image: Tracy Standish, Bowl Central UK)

Lane7 has been contacted for a statement and more information.

A statutory consultation into its licensing application is taking place. You can comment on it by emailing licensing@reading.gov.uk.

Anyone wishing to make a representation must do so by Thursday, November 7.