This month has seen the launch of Vintners Lanes in Greenwich. Vintners Lanes is an immersive and welcoming bowling alley housed in a prior Victorian Brewery off Vintners Yard on Greenwich High Road. This is the latest addition to an already bustling hub which is destined to be a further catalyst for a lively social entertainment experience.
Vintners Lanes is a brand new venture for the Davy family wine business, who have a hard earned reputation for providing not only high quality wines, but also food, drinks and excellent service, underpinned by their 154-year legacy.
In 2020, reeling from the devastation of Covid, Davy’s started to explore how the business could recover. A review of their building assets brought them back to their home in Greenwich. Already the location for their offices, a wine bar, shop and and wine business, it became clear that some underutilised space could be developed into revenue generating opportunities.
With a vision to build as a leisure and hospitality hub for the local community, as well as a destination venue for The City and Canary Wharf, they began developing Vintners Yard. Located at the centre of a large student population, a stone’s throw from the DLR, close to the Cutty Sark and Greenwich Park and in easy reach of a residential area bustling with families, the location was perfect for a premium multi-activity offering.
A starting point, was the creation of Vintners Yard at the rear of Davy’s Wine Vaults, next came a partnership with Houdini’s to create some immersive and thrilling escape rooms. With its outside bar and pizza ovens, the yard hosted a calendar of events from summer garden games, movie nights and live music, which began to embed Vintners Yard in the culture of the local community. However, there was more space to utilise.
Leveraging the vision of Davy’s 5th generation Chairman James Davy, coupled with the passion and bowling sector experience of their CFO, Mark Carrick, Davy’s embarked on the next phase of their journey: Vintners Lanes.
The successful development of Vintners Lanes hinged on two main features. Firstly, building a project management team through long standing, trusted relationships. Secondly, maintaining the character of the building whilst offering a dynamic, contemporary bowling experience.
The first was achieved by joining forces with project management W Hiles partnership. Having worked together on previous bars projects, Davy’s were assured that W Hiles understood their brand and legacy from the onset. Next came the appointment of Design LSM who had worked on other successful bowling and social entertainment projects, to bring together the aesthetic vision. To complete the team, Bowling Vision with integral inspiration from IH Solutions, offered significant operational and marketing experience.
Bowling Vision were instrumental in the selection and installation of the bowling equipment, pivotal to the success of the business, as well as ensuring the bowling alley team were appropriately trained in the use of Boost ST string pinsetters requiring minimal technical knowledge.
The experience and expertise of Bowling Vision with IH Solutions ensured the optimum use of available space, resulting in the careful layout of lanes around original feature pillars which allowed for only millimetres of adjustment. The meticulous planning and diligent approach ensured the wine bar business was not affected by the installation which exhibited an exceptional level of delivery.
The addition of bowling contributes to the premiumisation and wider offering of Vintners Yard. The steadfast popularity of bowling sits beautifully alongside the Victoriana history of the venue, creating a modern experience immersed in the warmth of the historic legacy.
The space used for Vintners Lanes had once been offices, and more recently a storage facility housing furniture for the wine bars. White plasterboard dressed the walls burying its true authentic character. The rejuvenation project, with its strong emphasis on sustainability witnessed the transformation of the space with the walls stripped back to reveal their original industrial brick work. 75% of the lighting and furniture used in the Bowl originated from items stored within the cellars of the building . Customers will spot original features with a nod towards the brewing and wine trade history of the venue, including factory slogans painted on the walls, trade tools hanging from brackets and Victoriana posters.
From the moment you walk through the Yard gates you embark on a journey of celebration of the venue’s industrial past. Vintners Lanes create an environment that is accepting and welcoming to everyone whilst ensuring the experience is premium and fully deserving the accolade of claiming to be ‘bowling but better’.
So, what’s next? Whilst Davy’s are entering the busy lead up to the Christmas trading period, Vintners Lanes is already building up traction and the team, mentored by continued support from Bowling Vision with IH Solutions, are quickly grasping the art of effective lane management. With further space available to be developed, Davy’s will be listening carefully to their customers’ feedback, paying close attention to their journey and keeping watch for the next experience to wow them.
It has been an absolute pleasure to be part of the growth of Davy’s and the launch of Vintners Lanes. We look forward to many years of working together and seeing how this exciting and innovative business continues to evolve.
This blog post was developed following an interview with Davy’s CFO, Mark Carrick, following the launch of Vintners Lanes. With Mark’s background in bowling and his central role in the vision and delivery of Vintners Lanes it was fascinating to hear him passionately unpack the Vintners Lane story. Thank you, Mark, for your time and insight.
