Green light for children’s activity centre in Dundee retail park

Councillors have approved plans to transform Dundee’s former Toys R Us store into a family activity centre.

Green light for children’s activity centre in Dundee retail park

The facility at the Kingsway West Retail Park will include 10-pin bowling, trampolining, soft play, indoor golf, a climbing wall and high ropes course, bumper cars and a sky rider coaster, along with a cafe and dining area.

Doncaster-based developer House Of Play said the development will be the only one of its kind in Scotland. The company will invest £800,000 into the venture, which will create up to 40 full time jobs.



The proposal was passed unanimously after city planners recommended the council’s planning committee approve the application.

The report by planners stated: “The proposal would bring back into use a large, highly visible, vacant unit within an established retail park and create a complementary use for the wider site.

“The proposed use is in a location and of a scale which would not significantly alter the existing pattern of footfall in the area.

“It would not therefore individually or cumulatively prejudice the vitality or viability of the
city centre or district centres.”



In the planning application to Dundee City Council, the developer previously hailed the proposals as “unique”, bringing the first facility of its kind to the area.

In their original application, House of Play stated: “The development proposals would assist to improve the leisure choice on offer at Kingsway West Retail Park but arguably in the north of Dundee.

“The proposed additional facilities, i.e. cafe and dining space, would complement the core leisure uses proposed and ensure this is an attractive destination to families and individuals.

“As this proposal introduces new recreational facilities to the city, the uses would not compete with existing facilities, but simply complement the range and choice of activities available to both residents and visitors.



“The proposals would provide a viable and sustainable use for a long-term vacant unit at Kingsway West Retail Park, helping to secure an attractive and vital occupier which in turn will liven the retail park.”

It added: “These proposals will ensure that the park continues to adapt to the existing market and economic climate.”

The Toys R Us store opened back in 1996 but lain empty ever since the retail giant collapsed in 2018.


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