A popular Bradford business will expand into one of the city centre’s biggest empty units to create “the best family entertainment centre in the UK.”
The large casino in The Leisure Exchange has been vacant since the closure of Grosvenor Casino in May 2018 and is currently one of several empty units in the city centre site.
This summer a planning application to change the use of the 2,330 square metre unit from a casino to leisure use was submitted to Bradford Council.
Since then it has emerged that the proposals are to allow the expansion of Funzy an inflatable play centre located next to the empty casino.
The planning application has this week been approved by Bradford Council, with planning officers saying it will help “support the vitality of Bradford city centre.”
A recent social media post from Funzy spoke of the expansion, saying: “We believe we’re creating the best family entertainment centre in the UK, and the biggest in Bradford.”
It goes on to say that the expanded business will be “unlike anything else in the UK.”
Funzy, which opened in a former gym space at the Leisure Exchange in 2018, contained large inflatable obstacle courses, bouncy castles and play areas.
Since its opening it has become one of Bradford’s most popular leisure venues.
The business has been closed since July ahead of the planned expansion.
The planning application said the development would boost both the Leisure Exchange and the city centre by “restoring the vitality and viability of the unit.”
The application was approved this week.
Planning officers said: “The proposal would bring a vacant unit back into active use and represent an appropriate extension of an existing leisure use within a sustainable location that would continue to support the vitality and viability of Bradford city centre.”
Officers said the unit was in one of the most accessible areas of the city centre, saying: “The site benefits from a dedicated multi-storey car park serving the leisure complex, located to the east of the site.
“In addition, there are ample parking opportunities within the city centre, including two large pay-and-display car parks nearby.
“The site also benefits from excellent public transport accessibility. Given the site’s sustainable city centre location and the nature of the proposal, there are no highway safety or parking concerns.”
The expanded business is expected to open in Autumn.
