EXCITEMENT is growing in County Durham with the opening of the new Game’s On Bowling.
Part of the £54 million Bishop Auckland Retail and Leisure Park, Game’s On Bowling attracted crowds to its official opening on Friday, including Bishop Auckland MP, Sam Rushworth. Game’s On Bowling is a major investment for the town and also boasts gaming, virtual reality, mini golf, live entertainment and a 150-seat restaurant.
The retail and leisure park is part of a broader regeneration project that has attracted 20 national and regional businesses, created 495 new jobs, has 600 car parking spaces and will bring in £1.4m in annual business rates to Durham County Council. A new seven screen cinema is shortly commencing fitout and will open to moviegoers in March 2026.
A further £46m Phase 2 is in the pipeline, with planning expected to be approved on November 5th, providing even more retail floorspace, along with an additional 400 car parking spaces, and a further 355 jobs.
Former county councillor Rob Yorke, who was instrumental in the park’s creation said: “There’s a sense of excitement in the town. The new bowling, cinema and other leisure facilities at Bishop Auckland Retail and Leisure Park coupled with the new £24m swimming pool and leisure centre currently being built by Durham County Council are fantastic, and these developments show real confidence in the town and builds on the incredible foundations laid by The Auckland Project and its sister charity Eleven Arches, whose £350m investment to date in our history and heritage helped inspire private investment in our retail and leisure sectors. Together, they’re transforming Bishop Auckland into a town of opportunity.’’
“I’d also like to pay tribute to the late Cllr George Smith, who was passionate about seeing Bishop Auckland thrive – his legacy lives on in projects like this.”
Wann, the dynamic owner of Game’s On Bowling and who also owns the Little Sicily restaurant chain said: “We’ve invested in this site because we believe in Bishop Auckland. Our Little Sicily Restaurant on the Retail and Leisure Park has performed better than expected and the combination of heritage, leisure, and retail is a powerful draw for families and visitors, and we’re proud to be part of that journey.” Bishop Auckland Retail and Leisure Park have been delivered by Fieldon Bridge Developments. Tindle Crossing Developments, a sister company, is developing the Phase 2 eight-acre adjacent site, which will include an additional 400 parking spaces and significant road network upgrades.
A spokesperson for Fieldon Bridge Developments said: “It’s incredible to see the Retail and Leisure Park coming to life with these fantastic national and local businesses, all recognising the opportunities here in Bishop Auckland.’’
“We’d like to wish everyone associated with Game’s On Bowling all the very best with the new venture and we very much look forward to seeing their ongoing success.”
The cinema will be the final unit to open in Phase 1 of the development, completing a vibrant new southern gateway to Bishop Auckland.
Sam Rushworth MP who attended the official opening of Game’s On Bowling said: “This is a fantastic example of private investment working hand in hand with local ambition. Projects like this are putting Bishop Auckland firmly back on the map as a great place to live and raise a family, which is vital as we seek to attract businesses to the area.”
Jane Ruffer CEO of The Auckland Project and wife of Jonathan Ruffer said; “It’s great to see continuing investment coming into the town, including Premier Inn who are currently adding an additional 18 bedrooms. The Auckland Project also recently had plans approved to build a new 58 room hotel in Market Place Bishop Auckland.’’
