Major update on bowling alley and restaurant plan for town
Work to create a huge new leisure centre in a Leicestershire town has received its final sign off. Land between Belvoir Shopping Centre, in Coalville, and its car park are set to be transformed with the creation of a new complex boasting a bowling alley, restaurant, mini golf course and gaming area.
Councillors gave permission for the scheme in November last year, but the project could not begin until the final legal checks – including agreeing financial contributions from the developer to North West Leicestershire District Council and other local bodies – were complete. While the approval was celebrated in Coalville at the time, some said they would remain sceptical about the plan coming to fruition until it was constructed.
However, the final checks and agreements have now been signed off, and a spokesman for the owner of the centre, Gylo, told LeicestershireLive it hoped building work would begin by the end of March next year. The work is expected to take around 18 months, with a contractor already secured, LeicestershireLive understands.
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Conversations are also progressing to find someone to take on the restaurant space, the spokesman said, adding that the discussions were “fairly advanced”. The restaurant will sit at the top of the three-storey leisure complex and will boast an outdoor terrace area for diners.
The project will also require the partial demolition of Coalville’s Emporium nightclub, which has attracted revellers to the area since 1995. No closures are planned for the club while the construction takes place, the spokesman said. Some 28 flats are also planned for the site.
It is hoped the project, which is a joint venture between Gylo and Holland Park Leisure, will help make Coalville a “family friendly” and “attractive” town. Many who live there believe it could be the project which rejuvenates the area.
Retired Swannington engineer John Kidson, 74, told LeicestershireLive after the scheme was approved: “I think it’s a good idea. There needs to be something for young people. I can see it being used a lot. There’s all these houses being around the area but what is there? You’ve got to serve everyone who lives here. You’ve got all that money spent on a sports centre, so how about entertainment? This is a good start.”
The leisure complex is just one of a number of plans to regenerate the area. Other projects include the newly pedestrianised Marlborough Square, as well as talk of a cinema for the town.
The shopping centre itself has also undergone a number of changes since being taken over by Gylo. A new PureGym has opened in the former Wilkos unit, and the group is hopeful of announcing new shops and restaurants in the centre in the “near future”, it told LeicestershireLive.
Nick Harcus, responsible for asset management for Gylo, said: “Since our acquisition of the centre, we have followed a planned investment strategy which has been in marked contrast to years of previous inactivity. Our new approach has seen a multi-million pound spend on refurbishment, the creation of new public spaces and new retail and leisure uses. Since its opening last November, the new Iceland store has been a great success and the arrival of the new Pure Gym has brought a great value state-of-the-art fitness facility to the town centre with thousands of local people signing up.
“Successful town centres offer a blend of shops, leisure, food and beverage outlets, bringing vibrancy both day and night. Our partnership with Holland Park Leisure to bring new family-friendly leisure in the shape of a bowling alley, mini-golf and restaurant is a further step in improving what’s on offer in Coalville town centre.
“We aim to do more and hope to announce the arrival of new shops and restaurants in the near future”
Local MP Amanda Hack added: “I was pleased to meet with Gylo recently to discuss their ongoing plans for the Belvoir Shopping Centre, which is an important part of Coalville town centre. It was particularly good to see the successful arrivals of both the new Iceland store and new Pure Gym facility. Local people value thriving high streets and it’s important that all local stakeholders work together positively to achieve town centre regeneration.”