Resort looks set for new bowling alley and other leisure activities

Blackpool looks set to get a new bowling alley as details of new leisure plans at the former Odeon Cinema have been revealed for the first time.

It comes as proposals to revive recreational activities at the former cinema on Rigby Road move a step closer.

The former 10-screen cinema on Bloomfield Central (formerly Festival Leisure Park) closed in June 2023 when its lease came to an end and has been empty ever since, with the movie screens now stripped out.

Preston-based Austringer Capital, now operating as AIM Land Ltd, already had planning permission for the building to be used for leisure activities such as bowling, trampolining, crazy golf, arcade games, climbing walls or indoor sports such as padel tennis or five-a-side football.

Those plans are now back in the pipeline after subsequent proposals for the building to be used for self storage were refused by council planners, and an appeal was unsuccessful.

In the latest application to Blackpool planners, relating to discharge of planning conditions on the permission previously granted, planning agents have named the actual company intended to provide the leisure amenities.

Planning advisors Savills state: “The conditions will be discharged prior to the upcoming occupation of the former Odeon unit by Tenpin Limited, the bowling and multi-leisure operator.”

Tenpin Ltd provides a variety of leisure activities beyond bowling, including private karaoke rooms, laser tag, and escape rooms. Many centres also feature arcade games, soft play areas for children, and table tennis and pool tables for friendly competition.

Some locations offer unique options like interactive darts, crazy golf, and bars with food.

The applicants AIM Land have now provided details to Blackpool Council relating to conditions 8 (cycle/motorcycle parking) 10 (external lighting) and 11 (Travel Plan), which it is hoped will allow the leisure plans to press ahead.

In a cover letter to Blackpool planners, planning adviser Savills said on behalf of AIM Land Ltd: “We trust that the application can be approved at the earliest opportunity.”

There are currently two bowling alleys in the Blackpool area – Blackpool Bowl, a 20-lane bowling alley located near the Tower, and Walterz Entertainment Centre: A newer, state-of-the-art facility that includes ten-pin bowling alongside other attractions like augmented reality darts, karaoke, and shuffleboard at Newton Hall Holiday Park.

Austringer Capital Ltd has already brought Club 3000 Bingo and a Starbucks drive-thru to the site.

Meanwhile, Blackpool has a new picturehouse, entertainment hub and diner – the Backlot Cinema – which opened at the Houndshill shopping complex in March 2024 and includes a wide IMAX screen.