Bowling, crazy golf and laser tag centre to reopen under new Canterbury Leisure brand

A little-known leisure centre offering 10-pin bowling, crazy golf and laser tag has now relaunched under new management.

The entertainment facility, which is tucked away on the Wincheap Industrial Estate outside Canterbury, was previously known as Play Islands and was forced to shut at the start of the pandemic.

But it has now been rebranded as Canterbury Leisure and is open again to visitors.

Those taking over the running of the Simmonds Road site are trying to build the public profile of the business.

The bowling alley boasts four lanes, while the indoor golf course is glow-in-the-dark and has nine holes.

Project developer Catherina Casey says interest has been strong in recent weeks.

“People weren’t very aware of the centre and what was here before, so we’re trying to properly promote it,” she said.

“Not a lot was previously made of it being here so we’re trying to change that.

“We’ve had a huge amount of calls with people interested, so that’s good.”

Adult prices for bowling start at £6.50, while golf costs £5.50 and laser tag £5.99. There is also a cafe and bar.

Canterbury did have a 10-pin bowling alley until 2011, when Bugsy’s Ice ‘n’ Bowl in St George’s Place shut down, leaving the MFA Bowl in Whitstable as the most popular centre in the district.

Ms Casey added: “There are lots of pubs and clubs for people to go to in Canterbury but students probably don’t want to go to nightclubs every night.

“We offer a different style of social entertainment. It’s somewhere you can have fun with friends and have some food and a drink.”

The three attractions will run under the names Canterbury Bowling, Crazy Golf Canterbury, and Laser Tag Canterbury.

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For more suggestions of activities the kids might enjoy visit www.mykentfamily.co.uk