Plans have been submitted to turn the basement of the former Debenhams store in Milton Keynes into a bowling alley.
Midsummer Place shopping centre landlord intu has submitted plans to Milton Keynes Council to change the use of the basement to leisure.
The new alley, to be run by Lane7, will include a bar and dining area. The first floor of the shop will continue to be occupied by Next Home & Beauty while the second floor will remain vacant.
intu, represented by planning consultant Williams Gallagher, argues in its submission that the conversion would aid the viability of the shopping centre
Heather Arnell from Williams Gallagher states: “With the growth of e-commerce and ease of accessibility to retail goods online, high street retail units and in-centre shopping centres have unfortunately declined in popularity and performance.
“It is therefore necessary for traditional shopping centres such as Midsummer Plane to diversify and adapt in order to differentiate its customers’ experience through the provision of services and facilities that are unattainable online.”
Image: Paul Harrop / Midsummer Place, Milton Keynes
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