Tenpin bowling has seen steady growth over the last five years and is set to continue reporting healthy increases in turnover and profitability at least for the next few years, says Mintel.

Revenue grew by 9 per cent between 1997 and 2001 and Mintel expects figures for the end of 2002 to see this rise to 13 per cent.

Its continuing popularity is due to the broad appeal of bowling allied to the offering of a wide range of ancillary facilities - usually bars, American Pool tables and amusement machines and video games - which attract both younger customers and older customers with children.

The major players, including Megabowl, AMF, Six Continents and Bowlplex, have also been proactive in boosting off-peak trade with discounts offered to students, children and OAPs as well as special offers for families and groups.

Mintel claims the increase in levels of disposable income and growth in the number of consumers in the younger and family age groups have helped the market grow. With these trends set to continue, the future of the industry looks healthy.