Adventure bar approved for Ipswich
It's hoped it'll open next year
A new £1.2million adventure bar featuring axe-throwing and mini golf in Ipswich has secured a licence – and hopes to be open in February next year.
Boom Battle Bar has confirmed its new Ipswich bar – filling the vacant Coast to Coast unit in the Buttermarket – will create up to 50 jobs and has secured the necessary authorisation to proceed.
A licensing hearing for the firm’s first Suffolk venue had been convened for Monday afternoon (November 8) at Ipswich Borough Council amid concerns from Public Health and Suffolk police, but that hearing was cancelled and licence granted after work ahead of the meeting meant issues were addressed.
Richard Beese, co-founder said: “I’m absolutely thrilled we have been granted a licence for our new store in the town.
“Boom Battle Bar is a new player in experiential retail offering high octane competitive fun with an eclectic mix of games that includes axe throwing, augmented reality darts, crazier golf, shuffleboards, karaoke, beer pong and even indoor curling.
“Accompanied by a range of craft beers, cocktails and street food, Boom will deliver the ultimate competitive high for its customers.
“As our first location in Ipswich we couldn’t be more excited for visitors to experience all Boom has to offer – we welcome customers to come together with their mates and dates for a night of friendly competition.”
It has also been confirmed that conditions attached to the licence means that some activities will mean people cannot consume alcohol or drugs, and could be breathalysed if there are suspicions they have.
Suffolk Constabulary’s license submission said it had ‘concerns over the use of weapons, namely axes, metal golf clubs and possibly hammers and nails being used inside a premise where alcohol is being served and where children are present’, and suggested a series of conditions to ensure safety of staff and customers.
Public Health Suffolk also requested a number of conditions over fears there were already higher-than-average alcohol-related A&E admissions in the area.
Boom confirmed in its application that ‘none of the games on offer involve the consumption of alcohol as part of the activity, no alcohol is permitted inside the high-risk activities area and we do not allow guests to consume alcohol in our venue before these high-risk activities’.
An Ipswich Borough Council spokesman said: “The Boom Battle Bar has been granted a license and agreed to comply with all the Public Health and Police representations/requested conditions. These matters will form conditions on the premises licence.
“Amongst those conditions are that no-one will be allowed ‘to play the axe throwing or Hammershlagen games if they have consumed alcohol or illegal drugs/substances prior to playing the game, and no person playing these games will be allowed to consume alcohol or take illegal drugs/substances whilst playing these games.’ Also if staff are unsure whether the person is under the influence of alcohol, then that person will be breathalysed, using a calibrated breathalyser.
“The planning permission requires occupation as a restaurant/drinking establishment for this former Coast to Coast unit. Therefore a planning application to open as a bar would probably not be necessary.
“The council does advise occupants to make contact with the planning department to ensure the correct permissions are in place.”