New £3.5m Hollywood Bowl to open in Westwood Cross, Broadstairs, next week

A new £3.5m entertainment venue bringing "LA bowling" to Kent will open next week nearly one year later than planned.

Hollywood Bowl confirmed plans to open its latest bowling venture in Broadstairs last month.

The leisure giants promised a new ‘family entertainment centre’ at the Westwood Cross shopping complex.

It has since announced it will arrive in Margate Road next Saturday (August 10) nearly a year after it was due to open in the autumn of 2023.

It comes after café bar Riparo Lounge opened in part of the complex - although Hollywood Bowl will become the major tenant once it starts trading.

The venue will feature 22 ten-pin bowling lanes, including four luxury VIP ones, alongside amusements including Mario Kart and air hockey, plus an American-style bar and diner.

Once open, it will become the fifth site to open its doors in the county alongside its counterparts in Ashford, Maidstone, Rochester and Tunbridge Wells.

Hollywood Bowl's Alex Poole believes it will be an affordable and modern facility offering around 40 new jobs.

The centre manager at the Westwood Cross bowling alley explained: “This is set to be a fantastic new family entertainment centre which will bring modern LA bowling entertainment to life right here in Broadstairs.

“Hollywood Bowl has built a strong reputation for delivering affordable family experiences across the UK.

"We can’t wait to welcome all ages and abilities to have fun and make memories together in our new state-of-the-art bowling centre during the summer holidays.”

The 80,000 sq ft complex was previously home to retail giants Debenhams.

However, the site was vacated when the company collapsed in 2021.

Meanwhile, prices for bowling-lovers have also been announced.

Adults wishing to play for one game will have to fork out £7.30, compared to £6.30 for children under 16.