Family entertainment centres bring activities such as bowling, mini golf, arcades, soft play and food and beverage (F&B) together under one roof. Once a niche leisure category, they are becoming an increasingly important part of modern retail and leisure destinations.

At Savills, we are tracking growing interest from international operators, including SuperPark, Ninja Kidz and Chuck E Cheese. Their interest is particularly notable given the challenging economic backdrop. While parts of the leisure market remain cautious, family entertainment continues to attract investment and expansion opportunities. So, what is driving demand?

Experience spending remains resilient

Consumer confidence remains fragile, while operators continue to face higher employment costs and wider inflationary pressures, and yet leisure spending has proved relatively resilient. Savills research shows entertainment spending consistently outperformed historic benchmarks throughout 2025, while expenditure on leisure activities remained well ahead of pre-pandemic levels.

Barclaycard data also indicates how consumers are changing their leisure budgets. Transaction volumes are down, but consumers are making fewer, bigger trips and spending more when they go out. This favours larger destinations that can offer several activities, F&B and a longer experience under one roof.

While competitive socialising and family entertainment are distinct segments of the leisure market, both are benefiting from the growing demand for social, experience-led activities. While many international family entertainment operators are still establishing themselves in the UK, competitive socialising site numbers are forecast to grow by around 10% annually to 2030, illustrating the wider appetite for experience-led leisure.

Consumers may be more selective about discretionary spending, but they continue to prioritise experiences that offer perceived value.

Destinations need reasons to visit

Traditional retail is no longer the sole draw for many shopping centres and mixed-use schemes. Successful destinations increasingly combine retail, F&B, leisure and entertainment to encourage longer and more frequent visits.

Family entertainment fits naturally into this strategy. Concepts such as Slick City and Babylon Park can create dedicated trips and attract visitors for several hours, with customers often spending elsewhere across a destination during their visit. This can benefit surrounding retailers and F&B operators, while helping landlords generate footfall and make better use of large spaces.

The format is evolving

Today’s operators are creating multifaceted venues that combine physical activity, immersive experiences, gaming, hospitality and F&B. Many concepts now appeal not only to young children, but also to teenagers, young adults and multigenerational families.

The variety of operators interested in the UK reflects this evolution. From active entertainment concepts to more immersive offers such as Moco Museum, the market is no longer defined by a single format or audience. This broader appeal can help increase repeat visits and makes the sector attractive to landlords looking to diversify their offer.

Why the UK stands out

The UK’s mature retail and leisure property market further strengthens its appeal. Many leading destinations have already embraced diversification, creating environments where leisure complements traditional retail and where international operators can secure space suited to larger formats.

Growing international interest therefore represents more than a short-term leisure trend. It reflects confidence in UK consumers and long-term demand for experience-led uses, with the UK often being perceived as the gateway to the rest of Europe, while also highlighting the role family entertainment can play in driving footfall, dwell time and relevance.

Further information

Contact Jess Hill or Carlene Hughes

Savills High Steet Retail