Our History
View our history timeline below to trace our fascinating and challenging journey – taking HBL from its North Wales origins to the global business leader it is today.
1927
1927
Harold Burt pictured with wife Edith and daughter Hilary. After being made redundant from his job on the fishing trawlers in Hull, he went into business repairing and later making mechanical amusement machines.
1932
1932
The business opened its first amusement arcade premises in the popular seaside town of Colwyn Bay, North Wales.
1934
1934
A second premises opened in the Royal Arcade, at 82 Mostyn Street, Llandudno. This remains a powerhouse of the business today.
1987
1987
Tim Batstone, the grandson of founder Harold Burt, joined the family business.
1988
1988
New arcades opened. The 5th Avenue in Llandudno, and the Mint in Rhyl.
1992
1992
First partnership games sites at Blackpool Piers and the Tower.
1993
1993
Rebranded as HB Leisure, and the opening of our first park games at Flamingo Land and Rotunda.
1994
1994
First major theme park games partnership signed with Drayton Manor, Tamworth.
1995
1995
First combined games and arcades operation in a theme park at Thorpe Park, Surrey.
1996
1996
HBL won a landmark court case in the House of Lords establishing the legality of ‘trading up’.
1997
1997
First overseas operation in Wonderland Theme Park, Dubai.
2002
2002
HBL partners with the Swiss Expo.
2003
2003
First permanent operation in mainland Europe – Heide Park in Germany.
HBL undertook a funfair in the Global Village event in Dubai, operating 40 rides, 40 games and several arcades.
2004
2004
Partnership with Europa Park, Germany began.
2005
2005
Blackpool Pleasure Beach partnership commences.
2007
2007
Merlin Tussauds Group’s long-term partnership was established.
HBL expanded into more countries in Europe, and South Africa.
First games in LEGOLAND – Windsor.
2008
2008
Parques Reunidos partnership established, Warner Madrid, Movie Park and Mirabilandia.
2010
2010
HBL opened in Peppa Pig World, Paultons Park.
2011
2011
First US operation at LEGOLAND Carlsbad, California.
2012
2012
Compagnie des Alpes partnership established in Walibi Holland, Walabi Belgium, and Parc Astérix.
2013
2013
HBL opened in Malaysia.
2015
2015
HBL signed a long-term deal with Gardaland, Italy’s largest park.
HBL’s first partnership in the Philippines.
2016
2016
HBL signed first major prize IP, Pokémon.
2017
2017
HBL takes on the games at the famous Coney Island, New York.
2018
2018
HBL Central Support relocated to new offices and warehousing in Rhyl.
First locations opened in Ireland, India and Singapore.
2019
2019
Major events first operated in Saudi Arabia.
HBL also opened in South Korea and Taiwan.
2020
2020
Major expansion in the USA.
HBL commences business with SeaWorld Entertainment Inc.
2021
2021
HBL starts operations at the iconic Ain Dubai Wheel.
Significant UK arcade growth with the purchase of Carousel Amusements in Westward Ho.
2022
2022
Record number of new sites worldwide.
HBL opens in the first Six Flags property in Georgia.
Further, HBL launched at Universal Studios Singapore, Sunworld Ba Na Hills in Vietnam, Village Roadshow Theme Parks in Australia, and EnergyLandia Poland.
2023
2023
Continuing the success of Six Flags Over Georgia, a further 12 Six Flags sites opened with HBL games in the United States of America.
