A NEW indoor amusement park is set to open in a UK shopping centre, replacing a closed down department store.
Four years ago, in 2020, John Lewis confirmed it would be closing its store in Watford’s Atria.
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Now its huge 33,000 square foot basement is set to be remodelled and turned into a Flip Out, which describes itself as “the UK’s leading adventure and trampoline parks”.
The new multimillion pound play zone will consist of several family friendly attractions and amusements and will become the latest in a chain of venues across the country.
Among its features will be an immersive space-themed laser quest experience, with lighting, special effects and mazes for visitors to hide in while they battle one another.
Meanwhile, there will also be a “Ninja Playground,” high-tech dodgems, a skating rink, donut slides, trampolines and inflatables.
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The park’s drift trikes will be on-site too, with friends and family racing each other around a track on the specially adapted tricycles.
Food and drink will be served at the new Flip Out, with pizza and burgers on the menu, as well as a Costa Coffee.
We Do Play co-owner, which owns Flip Out, Richard Beese said he couldn’t wait to start building the new site at the former department store.
He told the Watford Observer: “The team at We Do Play are over the moon to be launching in atria Watford, transforming the sizeable John Lewis unit into a centre of adrenaline-fuelled attractions that are fun for every single member of the family and birthday party packages will be out of this world.
“We can’t wait to start on the build at atria Watford.”
Steve Gray from Atria Watford’s management company Global Mutual added: “This is somewhere fun and exciting that families and children of all ages can enjoy.
“We know the opening will create a real buzz.”
There are currently 31 Flip Out locations already open in the UK.
Sites in Colchester and Coventry are also set to open soon, before the Watford play area will be built.
Across those sites, there are 57 different attractions for family and friends to enjoy.
Use these tips on your next theme park trip
Next time you visit a theme park, you may want to use our top tips to make the most of your adrenaline-inducing day out.
- Go to the back of the theme park first. Rides at the front will have the longest queues as soon as it opens.
- Go on water rides in the middle of the day in the summer – this will cool you off when the sun is at its hottest.
- Download the park’s app to track which rides have the shortest queues.
- Visit on your birthday, as some parks give out “birthday badges” that can get you freebies.
- If it rains, contact the park. Depending on how much it rained, you may get a free ticket to return.
They include gaming areas, Gladiator-style battle beams and even kids’ soft play zones.
Watford isn’t the only place in the UK to be getting a new family fun zone soon.
Ninja Warrior at Teeside Park opened its doors earlier this summer.
The huge 28,570sqft venue is completely indoors – so no worry about the weather – with more than 360 people able to visit per hour.
This includes the famous Warped Wall within the two obstacle courses.
A huge inflatable course with tunnels will also be included as well as battle towers.
Younger guests can try out a special inflatable course for kids under four.
And older guests can attend Ninja Lates, a monthly event for over 18s.
Meanwhile, this UK attraction is like being inside a video game.
And a brand new F1-themed attraction has also opened in the UK this year.
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