Hollywood Bowl has confirmed it is opening a new venue in Kent.

The firm known for its ten-pin bowling alleys has announced it will be moving into the former Debenhams store at Westwood Cross in Broadstairs.

Work is due to start on the 24,482 sq ft site from July 2023 and it is hoped the attraction, which will boast 22 ten-pin bowling lanes - will open in the autumn.

A Hollywood Bowl Group spokesperson said: "We are excited to bring the unique family entertainment and competitive socialising experience of Hollywood Bowl to Westwood Cross.

"We are in the early planning stages for transforming the current site, with the aspiration to open to guests in autumn 2023.

"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."

It comes after it was revealed last year 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 one of the anchor tenants.

But the outlet closed last year after the retail giant fell into administration and was sold to online fashion brand Boohoo.

However, proposals were submitted to Thanet District Council to transform the empty premises, with planning documents confirming the two-storey building will be reconfigured to create units for "food and beverage, and leisure offers".

A mocked-up image suggested 10-pin bowling and crazy golf operators could be among those moving into the site, with example brands including Hollywood Bowl and Puttstars.

Two applications have been submitted by LS Thanet Ltd and have been approved by the council, one for illuminated signs and the other for the installation of new shopfronts with changes to the design.

The scheme includes installing new double-glazing for the new units, with double entrance doors and tenant signage on the building.

Windows on the first floor will also be enlarged to enable views in and out of the building.

Earlier this 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 last year, the 242-year-old brand was sold to Boohoo, which revealed it had no plans to keep any of the remaining Debenhams stores open.