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Boom Battle Bar set to open bowling alley at Canterbury's Riverside, as Fireaway Pizza also gets set to launch

05:00, 24 October 2022

updated: 14:32, 24 October 2022

Bowling, axe-throwing and table tennis are among the activities set to be on offer at a new leisure complex.

Boom Battle Bar - which prides itself on being the "UK's largest provider of competitive socialising" - hopes to open its first Kent base at the Riverside site in Canterbury.

Boom Battle Bar and Fireaway Pizza are the two latest names to be revealed for the Riverside site
Boom Battle Bar and Fireaway Pizza are the two latest names to be revealed for the Riverside site

Fireaway Pizza is also set to take on one of the 13 units at the Kingsmead location, with posters at the site foretelling its incoming arrival.

The battle bar firm wants its new location to boast a host of activities, including table football, augmented reality darts, 10-pin bowling, table tennis, shuffleboard and axe-throwing.

A licensing application for the sale of alcohol at the new site off Sturry Road has been submitted to the city council.

As well as booze, it wants to have a "large selection" of hot street food and soft drinks available.

The company has a number of sites across the UK, at locations such as the O2, Birmingham, Manchester and Lakeside. The expanding firm also has branches internationally, but does not yet have a presence in Kent.

Boom Battle Bar has a number of branches nationwide. Picture: Boom Battle Bar
Boom Battle Bar has a number of branches nationwide. Picture: Boom Battle Bar
Axe-throwing will be among the activities on offer. Picture: Boom Battle Bar
Axe-throwing will be among the activities on offer. Picture: Boom Battle Bar

Its desire to open at Riverside will be a welcome boost for the council-owned site, which is hoped to become a go-to destination for people of all ages.

Council leader Ben Fitter-Harding said: "We wanted to create a leisure offering that was really compelling and contemporary.

"It's a really unique offering. Boom Battle Bar is another great tenant for what is a really exciting complex.

"Riverside is somewhere you can go to spend time, catch up with friends, and let off steam after work.

"It's exactly what the city has been missing. We've got some great leisure attractions in the city, but nothing as comprehensive as what's coming to Riverside.

Council leader Ben Fitter-Harding is pleased with how the complex is shaping up
Council leader Ben Fitter-Harding is pleased with how the complex is shaping up
The Riverside complex in Canterbury is currently home to a Curzon cinema
The Riverside complex in Canterbury is currently home to a Curzon cinema

"I think it's going to compliment what we've already got really, really well."

Elsewhere at the complex - which is currently just home to a five-screen Curzon cinema - Fireaway Pizza is due to open in the coming months.

Other confirmed names soon to be calling the £115 million development home include BrewDog, Sekkoya and Korean Cowgirl.

The proposed 10-pin attraction run by Boom Battle Bar will become the city's second bowling alley, with another having opened last year at Canterbury Leisure on the Wincheap Industrial Estate.

Last year, retail experts advised the council to tap into the student market - urging bosses to look favourably upon any future bids to enhance the city's leisure and entertainment offering.

Fireaway Pizza, which can cook pizzas in 180 seconds, is set to open in Canterbury
Fireaway Pizza, which can cook pizzas in 180 seconds, is set to open in Canterbury
The Riverside complex in Canterbury (60151701)
The Riverside complex in Canterbury (60151701)

“Given that Canterbury has a large student population and shortfall in lanes when compared to the national average, this is an area the council should look to accommodate over the local plan period,” a report from consultancy firm GL Hearn read.

“This is unlikely to be in the form of a large alley, as the growth area in bowling is within smaller venues."

The bowling alley at Boom Battle Bar is planned to boast three lanes.

Fireaway Pizza has a strong presence in Kent with eight branches to its name already.

The chain, which is also planning to launch in Sheerness, can make pizzas with its handmade dough in about 180 seconds due to its 400-degree authentic pizza oven.

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