Retail experts believe bowling alleys, escape rooms and more gyms are among the attractions that would breathe new life into Canterbury city centre.

An in-depth review has highlighted key areas of change over the next two decades, with the focus being on increased commercial leisure facilities.

Planning consultancy firm GL Hearn encourages the council to tap into the student market and urges it to look favourably upon any future bids to enhance the area’s leisure and entertainment offering.

A 700-page document detailing what needs to be done has been prepared to help the authority shape its new Local Plan and vision for the district come 2040.

Canterbury did have a 10-pin bowling alley until 2011, when Bugsy’s Ice ‘n’ Bowl in St George’s Place shut down.

It left MFA Bowl in Whitstable as the district’s only centre, but the report states how the lack of premises should be addressed.

The city did have an alley until 2011, when Bugsy’s Ice ‘n’ Bowl in St George’s Place shut down.

“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,” the report reads.

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

“Operators such as Lane 7 and All Star Lanes are developing smaller bowling venues nationally serving cocktails, drinks and food while you bowl.

“Alongside this, they typically provide other facilities such as pool tables, beer pong, karaoke booths and shuffle board.”

Statistics show that 18.5% of the district’s population go bowling, yet a high fraction opt to travel to either Ashford or Rochester, with less than 10% going to Whitstable.

'This is an area the council should look to accommodate...'

Between 2012 and 2017, bowling was one the UK’s top three fastest-growing leisure markets, with its demand soaring by 28%. Consultants therefore conclude there is a need for a city centre attraction.

Aside from a bowling alley, analysts at GL Hearn believe Canterbury should further embrace the growing escape room trend.

In recent years, Escape In The Towers, Escape Kent and Escape Room: Marlowe’s Ghost have all opened in the city and have gone on to prove popular with residents and tourists.

The report states: “Escape rooms can occupy smaller units and can make the most of unorthodox floorspace and building layouts, incorporating it into the challenge.

“These uses within town centre locations should be supported, especially in cases where other occupiers may not be interested in occupying these units.”

The number of cinema screens on offer in the city is below the national average, and, due to the lack of options, movie-goers are choosing to travel outside of the district to watch films.

But analysts are satisfied the launch of the five-screen Curzon at the £115 million Kingsmead development will “strengthen” the offering and conclude there is no need for any more cinemas.

They also see the need for two new gyms in the city by 2040 to help cater for a growing desire for health and fitness centres.

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