A WHITTLE-LE-WOOD S business is bringing a new 18-hole adventure golf course, six-lane bowling alley and bar to the new Market Walk development.

Ian and Lorraine Kearney, the owners of Cheeky Monkeys Family Entertainment and Childcare Centre, is looking to expand its operations and are looking to bring the popular offer for people of all ages to the Chorley Council-owned development.

The move, which is subject to a contract being signed, would be a significant step in attracting tenants to the £15 million extension, which will see a six-screen cinema and M&S Food hall coming to Chorley.

Cllr Alistair Bradley, leader of Chorley Council, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have this offer on the table as part of the extension because, if it does go ahead, it will provide another attraction to get more people into the town.

“We’ve got lots of interest in the remaining units and we’re making sure we get the right businesses for the town centre before committing to any deals.

“Everyone knows the retail sector is struggling and we need to give people a different reason to come to the town centre, other than just shopping, so moving the focus to leisure is the right way to go.

“The cinema, coupled with restaurants and now the potential for adventure golf and bowling, brings a completely different offer to the centre and gives the town a real boost as work on the extension continues at pace.”

The adventure golf and bowling offer that will also include a bar, live music, pool tables and retro arcade games is part of a new venture for Northwest Play & Party Ltd, the parent company behind Cheeky Monkeys, which has entertained families in the Chorley area for the last 15 years.

It will be called Escape Entertainment Venue with discussions moving forward to sign the contract to enable it to be ready for the opening day of the shopping centre extension.

“We’ve been looking for some time to find a venue for a leisure experience targeted at an older audience and when we sat down with the council the Market Walk extension ticked all the boxes, said Mr Kearney, Director of North West Play and Party Ltd

“I know that leisure time for all age groups is changing and the combination of at least three different and innovative experiences will deliver the ideal solution for families, groups of friends and even corporate team building events.

“The experience-based venue is part of a shift nationally for more innovative multi-use spaces that cater for all age ranges and more importantly make the likes of the town centre a place people want to return to, with the variety of activities available being the key.

“I have spent the last few months researching the best suppliers who can deliver an outstanding finish that will create the wow factor to compliment the other operators in the new Market Walk Extension development and I can’t wait to get the contract finalised and get started on site.

“It’s great that the council has already got the cinema and M&S signed up with restaurants coming too so it will be a great place for families and people of all ages to enjoy their leisure time.”

The extension to Market Walk shopping centre, being built by Eric Wright Construction, will see eight new units created including the two taken up by M&S and Reel Cinemas.

Alongside the shopping centre extension Chorley Council is undergoing multi-million-pound improvements to the wider town centre and has already created dozens of new parking spaces to accommodate extra visitors.

The shopping centre extension is due to open in time for Christmas trading in 2019.