Level X leisure venue celebrates three years in Middlesbrough

Level X: General manager Lee Bullen, deputy general manager Michael Charlton and assistant manager Ben Galvin along with Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke <i>(Image: Middlesbrough Council)</i>
Level X: General manager Lee Bullen, deputy general manager Michael Charlton and assistant manager Ben Galvin along with Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke (Image: Middlesbrough Council)
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A North East gaming and entertainment venue is celebrating three years since it opened its doors.

Level X, based in Middlesbrough town centre, launched as the first attraction in the revamped Captain Cook Square in February 2023 and has since become a key part of the town’s leisure scene, offering go-karting, virtual reality, ten-pin bowling, and a wide range of arcade games.

The venue was part of Middlesbrough Council’s vision to transform the former retail space into a vibrant leisure destination, following its purchase of Captain Cook Square in 2020 and subsequent conversion of retail units using government funding.

Chris Cooke, Mayor of Middlesbrough, said: "Level X’s first three years in our town centre have flown by.

"It’s an excellent business model that’s expanding across the UK.

"We should be proud it’s succeeded in Middlesbrough.

"Level X feels like a perfect example of how to transform former retail space into an attraction that offers so much fun and excitement to different generations.

"It’s done a fantastic job of attracting people to Captain Cook Square."

The multi-level venue also features dodgems, interactive darts, and pool tables.

Its arrival has helped draw more visitors to the area, which now also includes Bazaar restaurant, Fun Shack soft play, InflateSpace trampoline park, Wendy’s, and Roxy Movies boutique cinema.

Gavin Hughes, group managing director of Level X, said: "Guests have continued to flock to us, the business has grown significantly over the last three years.

"It's been enormously exciting to see the way families and groups in the town have taken to our commitment to providing supercharged experiences in a unique environment.

"We've got big plans for the future with new and upgraded gaming experiences, and we know the people of Middlesbrough - who are second to none when it comes to enjoying a great night out - will embrace them fully."

Building on the venue’s success, Captain Cook Square is set to welcome another new tenant in the months ahead.

An announcement is expected soon about what will take over the unit next to Bazaar, which was previously home to the Middlesbrough Football Club shop.

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