New trampoline centre given the green light

An artists impression of how the inside of the trampoline centre will look

The scheme which will see £700,000 invested in transforming the buildings on Cornford Road, Marton, was approved by Blackpool’s planning committee despite a recommendation to refuse it.

Clifton ward councillor Luke Smith, whose Clifton constituency includes the site, spoke out in favour of the application.

He said: “There were three main reasons as to why I believe it will be a great addition to Blackpool and Clifton,

“Firstly it will create much needed employment with at least 30 positions and no zero hour contracts.

“Secondly, schools had expressed a massive interest to myself, believing the facility would aid P.E. curriculums and also encourage young adults to keep fit in a fun way.

“And finally, £700,000 of investment would be spent by the now successful applicant on local trades in Blackpool with the owner spending more cash in Blackpool during his long term lease.”

The application was submitted by Allan and Sarah Bowness who hope to open the facility in February or March next year.

Backing for the centre was received from Montgomery High School, Aspire Academy, South Shore Academy and St Mary’s High School while 30 emails of support were also received.

But a report by planning officers warned it would mean the loss of potential employment land.

It said: “Given the shortage of available employment land within the town, and the desire of having a range of sites, in terms of size, type and location, protected and kept available for use, the proposal involves the long term loss of a significant amount of floorspace which would set a damaging precedent making it difficult to resist significant other non-employment uses being introduced into designated industrial/business areas.” The centre would see trampolines with no springs on show and padding in between each of the beds for safety reasons.

It would also feature a restaurant overlooking the play area which would have around 50 trampolines, some on the walls, a dodge ball arena, a slam-dunk area, a battle beam and foam pits.

The building was a former electrical wholesale warehouse but has been out of use for several years.