August 2, 2017
Turnstone Estates has secured a resolution to grant planning consent from Colchester Borough Council for the first phase of its Northern Gateway leisure site. Work will commence in 2018 with completion scheduled for late 2019.
The developer has also added successful leisure operator Jump Street to its line up of tenants, for a new Clip ‘n’ Climb wall climbing facility.
The detailed planning consent for the North Site includes:
• a 12 screen Cineworld cinema with Superscreen and 4DX
• up to twelve restaurant units
• 80 bed hotel, to be operated by Travelodge
• indoor active leisure units
• car parking for circa 750 vehicles
• a high quality landscaped piazza.
Jump Street has signed a 25year lease for a 6,000 sq ft unit. This is the company’s first stand alone Clip ‘n’ Climb wall climbing centre but follows on from their successful opening of a trampoline and climb centre in Chelmsford.
The franchise’s ‘Clip’n Climb’ arena will offer a combination of 30-35 gravity-defying climbing challenges designed to provide lots of healthy and active fun for all ages and skill sets.
Sam Bartlett, owner of Jump Street, said: “We’re delighted to bring Clip’n Climb to Colchester after its success in Chelmsford and to be adding it to our hugely-popular trampoline park offering in the town. Clip’n Climb delivers adrenaline-fueled activities for the whole family in a safe and fun environment. You will be able to test your head for heights on our staggering range of indoor climbing walls and exhibits for many an hour.”
The climbing centre joins the Paradise Island Adventure Gold Centre in having signed up to the Northern Gateway site, alongside a 12-screen Cineworld, Travelodge hotel, and the specialist burger restaurant chain Smashburger.
Chris Goldsmith, of Turnstone Estates, said: “This will be a state of the art leisure development with a superb dining offer. There is considerable consumer demand as Colchester has been crying out for a high quality offer such as this for many years.
“We are in discussions with a number of other major leisure and restaurant operators which we expect to conclude swiftly now that planning has been secured.”
Northern Gateway is located on the northern fringe of Colchester at Junction 28 of the A12 and adjoining the Weston Homes Community Stadium, home to Colchester United Football Club and a new David Lloyd Tennis Centre. The site forms part of Colchester Borough Council’s Northern Gateway vision for a major regional sports and recreation facility on land it owns which will include a national cycling centre and a site for the relocation of Colchester Rugby Club
Turnstone is advised by Whybrow and Wareing & Partners.
