Domino’s and Farmfoods could be set to move into the former bowling alley in Accrington town centre.
Globe Enterprises has submitted plans to convert the Superbowl at The Viaduct on Hyndburn Road into retail units, creating up to 80 jobs.
The bowling alley, next to the Vue Cinema, closed down back in May 2012.
Documents sent to Hyndburn council reveal that pizza delivery chain Domino’s and supermarket giant Farmfoods will move into two smaller units created by the scheme. An occupant for a third larger unit has not yet been found and will be marketed for both retail and leisure use.
Stuart Nevison, chairman of Glove Enterprises, said they have been unable to find another bowling company to take over the site.
He said: “We have really tried hard to find somebody else but there isn’t the appetite for it at the moment, even with very attractive rents. It’s not much fun paying empty rates on a building and it’s very expensive when it’s that sort of size.
“Both of these tenants have been interested in being in the area for a period of time. Hopefully this will really benefit the people of the town where a bowling alley hasn’t been able to.”
Indigo Planning Limited, agents for Glove Enterprises, said in documents to the council that both businesses will bring ‘much needed investment to the centre’ and create an ‘attractive and vibrant environment’.
Under the scheme an extra 51 car parking spaces will be created on the site of the demolished Massala Indian Restaurant.
Fourteen other sites across the borough were considered, including the soon-to-be vacated Marks and Spencer store at the Arndale Centre, however they were deemed to be ‘unsuitable to accommodate the proposed development’.
Indigo Planning Limited said the new retail complex will help ‘bring people and footfall’ into the area.
They said: “Accrington town centre has experienced economic decline resulting in neglect, falling property values and a lack of investment, clearly evident by the vacancy of the proposed unit.
“This is exacerbated by the fact that the bowling alley unit has been vacant for three years with little interest. At present, therefore the unit provides no contribution to the vitality and viability of the centre, and rather is a prominent reminder of decline.”
