£15 million Northgate site moves forward as bowling operator found
Councillors have agreed to spend £15 million transforming the Bridgwater Northgate site, which will feature a new cinema and bowling site, as well as restaurant spaces.
Last updated 8th Oct 2020
The plans were agreed at a meeting last night after ALLSTARS Bowl Ltd signed to manage the bowling aspect of the development.
A spokesperson for Sedgemoor Council said: "Members agreed to invest up to £15m into project; reinforcing Sedgemoor’s determination to bring this scheme to life.
Strategic director Doug Bamsey spoke to reporter Andrew Kay this morning:
"Since its inception, members have been formally asked to agree progress at a number of ‘break-points’ – making sure that the decisions to commit funding, understand the future liabilities and responsibilities over a long-term period are fully debated and agreed as prudent best practice.
"It was confirmed that ALLSTARS Bowl Ltd have signed a lease for part of the scheme. ALLSTARS Bowl will have up to eight lanes of ten pin bowling, a Sports Bar with large-format TV screens for sports events, state-of-the-art video games as well as traditional games on the upper level of the second building proposed for the site.
"Consultations over the past years have always showed that residents are clamouring for a bowling alley and this will be a great addition to the town.
"Other nearby ALLSTARS sports bars at Exeter, Taunton, Weston-super-Mare and Bristol are very popular with customers and include large format TV screens for showing sports events, tables for pool as well as traditional games such as darts and up-to-the-minute video game machines for other exciting activities.
"ALLSTARS Bowl Ltd join WTW-Scott Cinemas Ltd who have already announced that they are proposing a seven-screen cinema on the site with the latest in audio and visual technology.
"There will be a boutique studio auditorium and a Director’s Lounge, which will be available for presentations, meetings and corporate events. The building will be fully accessible with dedicated wheelchair access to all screens.
"Sedgemoor’s on-going commitment to the Northgate development is part of the council’s strategy both for helping deliver the post-Covid recovery of the town centre and wider district, as well as setting the cornerstone for long-term success and sustainability."