More details emerge for Debenhams play centre plan

The team behind plans to turn a former Debenhams store into an indoor play centre said the site would be a one-of-a-kind venue.

Matt Tofts, co-founder of Fun Parx, described the department store building in Norwich as an "empty shell" that would allow them to create a unique experience for visitors.

The company, which counts Ninja Warrior star Ali Hay among its directors, will begin stripping the 1950s structure before installing an ever-evolving range of inflatable slides and obstacle courses inspired by the TV show.

Plans had been in place to demolish much of the building and turn it into student flats, but it was announced this week that the scheme had been pulled.

Tofts said: "Being an empty shell, it is easier for us to move into so we're really excited for the Norwich one.

"It allows us to have really amazing designs that are going to be totally different to any of our other locations, but brings exciting things that are found elsewhere."

Tofts said there would be something for all ages at the park, ranging from soft play to huge inflatable obstacle courses, fixed slides and even inflatable football pitches and bowling.

Planning permission had previously been granted to demolish much of the former department store and replace it with 377 student flats with shops on the ground floor.

The scheme was met with criticism from heritage groups, including the Twentieth Century Society and the Norwich Society, which opposed the demolition plans.

This week, developer Orford House Developments said the current economic climate made the project "prohibitive" and confirmed it had agreed a long-term lease with Fun Parx.

Tofts emphasised there would be no changes to the outside of the building.

He said: "We are bringing to life something that potentially could have been knocked down and changed for student accommodation and actually creating something better for that building.

"We're not looking at removing any part or knocking windows through or anything like that.

"The only thing that you'll probably see from the outside that would change is really the removal of the Debenhams signage."

Fun Parx is one of several entertainment venues that have opened up in Norwich city centre in recent years, including in the Castle Quarter shopping centre and Riverside area.

Stefan Gurney, executive director of Norwich Business Improvement District, said the high street needed to diversify from retail.

He said: "I think a family focused leisure destination is different to a lot of the offers that are in the city centre at the moment.

"We see that it has the potential to increase footfall and will support the neighbouring businesses, such as smaller food venues. It will also add to the vibrancy of that part of the city."

Gurney added he was pleased Debenhams was not being demolished, saying it would have caused "massive disruption" to the city centre.

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