12th September 2023

Five New Restaurant Signings at Northern Gateway Leisure Park

Turnstone Estates has today announced the signing of five new restaurants to the line-up of operators at its £70 million leisure park development in Colchester, which is currently under construction. 

The announcement marks another leap forward in the delivery of Colchester City Council’s vision for a leisure park within its 10-acre Northern Gateway development on Colchester’s northern fringe at Junction 28 of the A12.

Agreement for leases have been signed with Mexican operator, El Guaca (3,305 sq ft), dessert seller, Kaspa’s (3,132 sq ft), global buffet company, Nines (3,832 sq ft), Slim Chickens (4,000 sq ft) and Italian food specialist, Taste of Italy (2,131 sq ft) to create a diversity of high quality, casual dining outlets that offer widespread appeal to future visitors. The lettings will complement the park’s flagship leisure attractions – Cineworld’s 12 screen cinema; Hollywood Bowl’s 20 lane bowling alley; Puttstars’ adventure golf centre and a Travelodge 90-bed hotel.

Having previously secured deals with Kervan Kitchen and Wendy’s and Greggs drive-thru restaurants, Turnstone has just two remaining restaurant units now available.

Chris Goldsmith, Managing Director, Turnstone Estates, said: “We are delighted to welcome these new tenants on board. Colchester Leisure Park’s fantastic location on the edge of this fast-growing city, adjacent to Colchester United FC’s JobServe Community Stadium and the recently opened Colchester Sports Park, has proved to have enormous appeal to many enterprising food and drink operators.  We look forward to the coming months as we move into the final phase to bring this landmark project to completion.”

Cllr Mark Cory, Deputy Leader of Colchester City Council and Cabinet member for Resources, said: “Today’s announcement is great news for Colchester. It is further evidence of the attraction our city holds as a great place to invest, visit, live and work.

“The signing of five new restaurants to the line-up of operators is a major milestone in the delivery of a vibrant and attractive leisure destination at Northern Gateway. We have been clear from the start that this new leisure park has no retail units and brings new businesses that are additional to the offer in our City. These new restaurants and leisure units add to the attraction of Colchester, bringing people from all over Essex, Suffolk and beyond. 

“I am delighted that this project is progressing so well, despite economic woes across the country, and I look forward to seeing more attractions opening their doors to the public in the coming months.”

Colchester Leisure Park, which is in the last stages of construction, forms part of the wider Northern Gateway development delivered by Colchester City Council.

Alongside the recently opened Northern Gateway Sports Park, this will include new homes, a healthcare hub and commercial floorspace. The whole development will benefit from an integral digital network providing ultra-fast broadband to local homes and businesses as well as a district heat network. 

Turnstone Estates was advised by Whybrow and Wareing & Partners.