A 29-lane bowling alley has been approved for the former Toys R Us at Dundee Kingsway.
Developers put forward proposals for a leisure facility at Kingsway West Retail Park in August.
It will also include karaoke rooms, laser tag and an escape room.
They said the unit had been vacant since 2018 Toys R Us closed, and since then there has been no interest from retailers in taking up the space.
A new activity centre was proposed for Hilltown in 2020, but plans were never progressed beyond the approval stage.
They were eventually dropped in favour of plans for a new 100-home housing development.
The designs, approved by Dundee City Council, include room for a 29-lane bowling alley, laser tag arena, karaoke area and a licensed bar and restaurant.
A decision notice from the council approving the planning application places several conditions on the development, including that it is commenced within three years.
There is also an extra requirement for cycle parking facilities that were not included in the initial designs.
What attractions are planned?
- A 29-lane bowling alley
- Two karaoke rooms
- Table tennis and pool table zone with about 10 tables
- Escape room complex
- Laser tag arena
- Multi-level soft play zone for kids aged three to 11
- Licensed bar/restaurant
- Games zone including arcade.
The development will lead to an estimated investment in Dundee of around £750,000 and could also create around 30 jobs.
It will be the first bowling alley to operate in the city for more than a decade.
The facility is expected to be operated by Tenpin, which runs similar venues in Edinburgh, Glasgow (Braehead) and Falkirk.
Previous operator ‘failed to follow through’
A planning statement from Ryden describes the plans as a “unique collection of indoor activities and adventure attractions”.
It adds: “The reason that the previous permission is not being implemented is that the operator which was, at the time, interested in occupying the unit, has not followed through with this interest.
“The owners of the park have therefore had to seek new potential operators. The
proposed operator now is Tenpin, and the range of uses which are provided by this
operator are well established throughout Britain.”
Conversation