Escape rooms and steampunk bar heading to Metrocentre in North East first

A growing leisure company is heading to the North East to entertain visitors with its themed escape rooms and steampunk bar.

The Escapologist already runs two immersive escape room venues and bars in Leeds and Castleford, West Yorkshire, which have proved massively popular with people looking for more unusual leisure experiences. The firm is transforming the former Windows music shop within the Yellow Mall into an exciting destination with themed escape rooms, ranging from heists, to fantasy, horror, and a new space theme.

The Escapologist will also have a steampunk style bar, serving a selection of handcrafted cocktails and mocktails. The immersive concept joins a range of leisure, food and drink sites already based within the mall, including Namco Funscape, Clip ‘n Climb, Treetop Golf, Odeon Cinema, Slim Chickens, Wagamama, and Wingstop.

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Ben Cox, director at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, said: “Metrocentre has an evolving leisure offer which is a key strategic focus. As the second biggest shopping centre in the country, we have a great opportunity to make the experience of visiting Metrocentre more compelling by introducing exciting leisure venues alongside the best retail brands. Escape rooms have proven their popularity across the country, so getting a quality operator in The Escapologist will enhance the Yellow Mall leisure offer with another innovative and creative experience.”

Ellie McClaren, co-founder and CEO of The Escapologist, added: “Following our success in Yorkshire, we’re pleased to be making our regional debut in the North East and deliver our thrilling and immersive experiences to a whole new audience. Metrocentre is a thriving destination with a high calibre of retail, food and beverage, and leisure, and we’re excited to elevate our concept with brand-new experiences that bring some fun for families and friends.”

The venue, which will eventually consist of eight themed escape rooms, will create between 15 to 20 new jobs and will open by summer this year. The news comes as GO Outdoors, the leading outdoor clothing and equipment retailer, officially opens its new 20,242 sq ft store within the former Wilko unit in Metrocentre’s Blue Mall.

The store stocks outerwear brands such as Rab, OEX, and Berghaus, as well as a range of footwear and camping equipment. Operating as a Go Outdoors Express, it also delivers additional services, such as boot and rucksack fitting, with in-store collection and drop-off points.

Meanwhile retailers Clarks and Victoria’s Secret are on the move from the Red Mall to the Green Mall, and ProCook, the specialist kitchenware brand, will be opening later this year.