Turnstone Estates has taken another major step forward at Seaway Leisure, Southend on Sea, by signing Hollywood Bowl, the UK’s largest tenpin bowling operator. Hollywood Bowl will anchor the scheme together with Empire Cinemas. The announcement comes just two months after Empire Cinemas announced the Seaway Leisure will include a state-of-the-art 11-screen complex with 1,370 seats complete with Southend’s first IMAX screen.
Hollywood Bowl will occupy a large leisure unit on the lower ground floor, comprising c.21,500 sq ft. The centre will feature state of the art bowling lanes, a Hollywood Diner, a stylish bar and a cutting edge amusements area.
The regeneration proposal also includes ten new restaurants and cafes, a Travelodge Hotel with 80 rooms, a further indoor leisure unit, a new public square and a multi-storey car park.
Laurence Keen, Chief Financial Officer of Hollywood Bowl Group, said: “We are pleased to have secured another prime, high footfall destination to enable us to continue to execute on our new centre opening strategy. We’re delighted to be bringing the Hollywood Bowl brand to Southend on Sea and to be a part of the exciting development of the Seaway Leisure scheme.”
Tim Deacon, Director of Turnstone Estates, said, “This scheme is really gathering momentum. Securing Hollywood Bowl is a real coup and will reinforce Seaway Leisure as the all year round destination for everyone in Southend and beyond. I really look forward to finally delivering this much needed scheme and expect to announce further restaurant signings shortly”.
The new Seaway Leisure development is expected to directly create around 450 new jobs, and provide a boost to Southend’s town centre economy. The site is allocated for development in Southend’s Central Area Action plan, which sets out the council’s plans for a strong town centre and seafront.