Two huge new leisure ventures key to the Captain Cook Square development have been hit by six-month delays - but one has revealed it could open in November.

Lane 7 entertainment venue Level X and esports cafe the Wired Lobby are still not open, despite plans to open in April and May respectively. Lane 7 is set to take over the former TJ Hughes and the Wired Lobby will move into the old Peacocks building.

Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston hopes the regeneration of the area will create a regional leisure hub and attract visitors from across Teesside. However, the independent politician did say progress at the site was slower than hoped at a recent council meeting.

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In June, it was understood that Level X would open in August and the Wired Lobby in July. Now, the Wired Lobby has confirmed it is set to open in November, however, Lane 7 has not responded when asked.

A spokesperson for the esports venue said there have been challenges with the flooring and they have made design improvements to the kitchen and arena sections which have led to delays.

At a recent council meeting, Mr Preston said: “Captain Cook Square progress is slower than we hoped. A cinema is very close to signing up and several other leisure operators. The trick now is to make the thing happen faster but we have two (Level X and Wired Lobby) well on site hopefully this year.”

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The Wired Lobby will have a stage with 100 seats for local tournaments, 50 gaming desktop computers where gamers can play Fortnite and League of Legends and 40 PlayStations and Xbox machines. There will also be eight race simulators including a full-size shell of a BTC racing car with elite-level equipment, for those after an immersive experience.

Bowling venue Lane 7 will be launching its new brand Level X at the former TJ Hughes store at Captain Cook Square, in a bid to tap into the family entertainment market. As well as a bowling alley, there will also be a go-kart track, ping-pong tables, pool tables, a shuffleboard or beer pong area, and darts or shooting pods.

Both of the venues have secured permission to remain open until 2am.

In preparation for the new ventures opening, the council has made improvements to the square including removing the existing decorative canopy railing and lamp posts, adding new street furniture while keeping the area open so events can take place outside and giving the walls a fresh lick of paint.

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