A BRAND-new adventure and entertainment complex and is finally coming to Poole’s Dolphin Shopping Centre after civic bosses approved the plans.
The recently closed Marks & Spencer unit at the shopping centre will be replaced by the first Flip-Out adventure park in Dorset, with a bumper car track, ice rink and crazy golf course forming large parts of the project.
BCP Council approved the £2.5 million project on Friday, August 19, after no objections were filed.
The proposals’ description was amended from ‘Entertainment & Leisure’ use to ‘Entertainment & Adventure Centre' because, according to a council planning officer, “it was felt that ‘entertainment and leisure’ was too wide and, if allowed, the council may have little control of the actual use of the site”.
Flip Out intend to occupy the ground, first and second floors of the unit, totalling 3739.6 sqm of floor space. The ground floor will consist of a mini golf area, arcade, vortex tunnel play area, small bar and kitchen with a seating area as well as some storage, staff and office rooms.
The first floor will contain an interactive football area, bumper car track, an obstacle run, ice skating rink, a soft play area, table tennis and party rooms for guest events.
Lastly, the second floor is proposed to house an eKarting track, a Laser Quest site, maze area and an additional play area. Toilets and a staff room are also intended for this floor.
When the plans were unveiled, public reaction was generally positive. In a social media post by the Dolphin Centre asking for people’s opinions, one woman said: “I think this would be a great opportunity for Poole.
“There’s nothing to do in Poole anymore and it’s sad, it seems you have to travel to Bournemouth or Southampton for anything decent, so it'd be nice to see the change.”
Another added: “It's great to see investment in the town, especially when so many town centres are struggling. It’s just what Poole needs.”
The site has been empty since January when the M&S closed after 50 years of trading.
Flip-Out Poole is proposed to be open from 10am to midnight seven days per week.
It is understood the centre will bring around 60 part-time and 20 full-time jobs to the area and could be open by Christmas.
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