Laser tag, an ice rink and dodgems could be coming to the Bon Accord Centre if newly unveiled proposals are given the go-ahead.
The “family entertainment centre” would fill a space above the second floor of shops, currently occupied by a vast indoor bowling green that has been left unused for more than a decade.
Covering two levels – one of which would be built as part of the plans – the family fun zone would also include a restaurant area and three “party rooms”.
Other activities mentioned as part of the proposal include:
- Interactive football
- An inflatable obstacle course
- Mini golf
- Drop slides
- Ninja tag
- Soft play
- Arcade games
The plans were submitted by Guernsey-based Aberdeen Retail 1 Ltd, which owns the Bon Accord Centre.
Along with co-owner Aberdeen Retail 2, it went into administration less than two months ago due to “unsustainable cash flow problems”.
However, the administrators of the shopping centre insisted it would carry on with “business as usual”.
Next step in Bon Accord’s move towards wider offering
The application for a family fun zone at the Bon Accord Centre represents the latest step in an effort to move the site away from its focus on retail.
Vacant storefronts have been getting increasingly noticeable in recent years.
John Lewis closing its neighbouring department store last year came as a hammer-blow.
In May, we revealed luxury cinema Everyman planned to open its third Scottish venue at the shopping centre in 2024.
At the time, Bon Accord manager Craig Stevenson said: “We want to move from purely shopping to having more leisure and the cinema is part of that.
“This is about looking at catering to demand over the next decade and more.”
Where would Bon Accord Centre’s family fun zone be located?
The development would fill the space left after the Bon Accord Indoor Bowling Club departed their home in April 2012.
When it was operating, their green was accessible via the Harriet Street car park.
Opened in 1990, it was situated on the centre’s top floor, above Waterstones, Clinton Cards and Game.
A report from the Evening Express on April 5 2012 said: “No one seems to know what will now become of the large bowling area, but hopefully it won’t lie vacant for too long.”
The applicants for the family entertainment centre plans believe no new planning permission is required for the development.
They say the site will remain as leisure space, as electric bumper cars don’t count as “sport or recreation vehicles”.
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