Intu has submitted an outline planning application to create a £100m leisure development at intu Lakeside in Thurrock.
The new leisure development will create a series of outdoor spaces, including a large town square. The public spaces will host an events programme which may include farmers’ and Christmas markets, street theatre, music shows and live screenings of major sporting events.
An extended cinema, new leisure and restaurant uses together with a hotel will be built around the new public spaces.
Intu wants to secure uses such as ten-pin bowling, family restaurants, a health and fitness centre, a night club, a comedy venue and a hotel.
Construction is expected to start during 2015, with the leisure development scheduled to open in 2017.
The leisure proposals build upon existing plans for a £180m expansion of the centre’s retail offer that would add 30-40 new stores.
Jonathan Ainsley, asset management director for intu, said: “We’re passionate about providing people with the perfect shopping experience, and the new leisure development will attract more people, from a wider area, and provide a great reason for them to stay with us for even longer.”
annabel.dixon@estatesgazette.com
