The Early Years
Gifted engineer Harold Burt steadily builds thriving business, opening first arcades in North Wales.
Our Timeline
HB LEISURE TIMELINE 1927 TO THE PRESENT DAY, this is our history in the making!
1927
Harold Burt pictured with wife Edith and daughter Hilary. After being made redundant from his job on the fishing trawlers in Hull, goes into business repairing and later making, mechanical amusement machines.
1932
The business opens its first amusement arcade premises in the popular seaside town of Colwyn Bay, North Wales.
1934
A second premises is opened in the Royal Arcade, at 82 Mostyn Street, Llandudno. This remains a powerhouse of the business.
Building HBL Bigger
From grandfather to grandson, Tim Batstone brings new ideas including ‘midway games’ that transforms the business.
1987
Tim Batstone grandson of founder Harold Burt, joins the family business.
1988
New arcades open. These are the 5th Avenue in Llandudno, and the Mint in Rhyl.
1992
First partnership games sites at Blackpool Piers and the Tower.
1993
Rebranded as HB Leisure, opening first park games at Flamingo Land and Rotunda.
Taking off in the UK
Growth continues across the country as more games and arcades are introduced into major UK theme parks.
1994
First major theme park games partnership signed with Drayton Manor, Tamworth.
1995
First combined games and arcades operation in a theme park at Thorpe Park, Surrey.
1996
HBL win landmark court case in the House of Lords establishing the legality of 'trading up'.
European Expansion
First permanent location in Europe at Heide Park. First theme part in the Middle East in Wonderland, Dubai. Major partnership established with Merlin Entertainments Group.
1997
First overseas operation in Wonderland Theme Park, Dubai.
2002
HBL partners with the Swiss Expo.
2003
First permanent operation in mainland Europe - Heide Park in Germany.
HBL undertake funfair in the Global Village event in Dubai, operating 40 rides, 40 games and several arcades.
2004
Partnership begins with Europa Park, Germany.
2005
Blackpool Pleasure Beach partnership begins.
2007
Merlin Tussauds Group long term partnership established.
HBL expand into more countries in Europe, and South Africa.
First games in a LEGOLAND - Windsor.
2008
Parques Reunidos partnership established, Warner Madrid, Movie Park and Mirabilandia.
2010
HBL opens in Peppa Pig World, Paultons Park.
Going Global
First park opens in the USA.
Further expansion of major parks across Europe.
Multi developments across Middle East and into Far East.
2011
First US operation, LEGOLAND Carlsbad, California.
2012
Compagnie des Alpes partnership established in Walibi Holland, Walabi Belgium, and Parc Astérix.
2013
HBL opens in Malaysia.
2015
HBL sign long term deal with Gardaland, Italy's largest park.
HBL's first partnership in the Philippines.
2016
HBL signs first major prize IP, Pokémon.
2017
HBL take on the games at famous Coney Island, New York.
2018
HBL Central Support relocates to new offices and warehousing in Rhyl.
First locations opened in Ireland, India and Singapore.
2019
Major events first operated in Saudi Arabia.
HBL also opens in South Korea and Taiwan.
2020
Major expansion in USA.
HBL commences business with SeaWorld Entertainment Inc.
