A major family attraction has pushed back the opening date for its latest town centre venture.

Hollywood Bowl now hopes to open in Broadstairs’ Westwood Cross shopping complex next summer rather than this autumn, as originally planned.

But now Loungers, which runs hundreds of cafe bar and restaurant sites around the UK, unveiled plans to move into the former Debenhams site.

Hollywood Bowl, which has more than 70 centres across the UK, originally intended to open this autumn at the huge unit at Westwood Cross shopping centre in Broadstairs.

But it was confirmed today this has been delayed until summer next year.

A Hollywood Bowl spokesman said: “We are excited to bring the unique family entertainment and competitive socialising experience of Hollywood Bowl to Broadstairs.

“Construction to transform the site at Westwood Cross is due to start in the new year, with the target to open to guests by early summer 2024.

“Once complete Hollywood Bowl Westwood Cross will offer affordable family entertainment and feature 22 ten-pin bowling lanes, the latest and classic amusement arcades as well as tasty food and drink for families and friends to enjoy.”

A planning application by Loungers UK Ltd has been submitted to Thanet District Council to install new signage on the large retail unit.

Documents reveal the new eatery at the Margate Road site will be called Riparo Lounge.

Loungers operates more than 200 sites in England and Wales across two different brands: Lounge and Cosy Club.

The firm’s website states: “Lounge is a neighbourhood café/bar combining elements of a restaurant, British pub and coffee shop culture.

“As of March 2022, there are 162 Lounges nationwide.

“Lounges are principally located in secondary suburban high streets and small town centres.

“The sites are characterised by informal, unique interiors with an emphasis on a warm, comfortable atmosphere, often described as a ‘home-from-home’.

“The Lounge estate has a consistent look and feel but each Lounge is individually named and tailored to the site and local area, and the design of each Lounge is continually evolving, meaning no two sites are the same.”

It was revealed in 2021 the former Debenhams store at the outdoor shopping centre was to be transformed into a complex with restaurants, bars and leisure offerings.

The prominent site was home to the department store for 16 years, with Debenhams as a key tenant.

But the outlet closed two years ago after the retail giant fell into administration and was sold to online fashion brand Boohoo.

However, plans soon revealed the two-storey building would be reconfigured to create units for "food and beverage, and leisure offers".

Earlier last year it had been hoped that despite the closure of Debenhams stores across the country, the Broadstairs outlet could be spared, alongside Gravesend's.

But in January 2021, the 242-year-old brand was sold to Boohoo, which revealed it had no plans to keep any of the remaining Debenhams stores open.

Lounge UK Ltd was contacted for comment.