Escape room entrepreneurs have revealed plans to expand further into Kent to meet the growing demand for puzzle-filled days out.

The Panic Room, which is renowned for its games across Gravesend, has announced it is opening a new location in Dartford.

Owner Alex Souter said: “There are not many entertainment options in Dartford and this will be its first escape room.

“It should be great for the town and hopefully it will be successful.

“Lots of people have said they are excited about it. There seems to be quite a want and a need for an escape room in Dartford.

“There is clearly a demand for it and I think we are off to a fantastic start.

“There is only so much room in Gravesend but if our customers love what we do there, they will love the Dartford site.

“We have been going into more entertainment avenues so we are looking to replicate that in other locations.”

He said they were searching for the right location when they were approached by the owners of another escape room business who had a lease on the building.

The firm had applied for planning permission in 2022 to change the use of the former Twins Noodle Bar, in Copperfield Walk, from a restaurant into an entertainment venue.

Despite being given the green light, due to personal reasons, it was unable to open and the lease has now been taken on by The Panic Room.

Created by husband and wife Alex and Monique Souter, The Panic Room first opened in Gravesend in 2016.

Since then, the duo have expanded their escape experiences to online games, axe throwing, a gift store and a board game cafe at multiple locations across the town plus two branches, in Essex and Niagara Falls in America.

Two years ago, they broadened their horizons further and opened a family fun entertainment centre with a laser tag arena, mini golf, virtual reality arcades and private karaoke rooms.

However, the latest site in Dartford will be their first franchise of the business, which was ranked the third best of its kind in the UK last year, according to Tripadvisor..

Alex added: “It is great to have extra people on board.

“I think it would have been beneficial for us to do much earlier on than we have, however, we have the knowledge and confidence now to be able to.

“We are a little bit late to the game but we are looking to grow and open up more.”

The first room known as Netherworld will be open by Thursday, August 22, with an additional two adventures set to be running by the end of the year.