Business leaders have come out in support of plans to turn an empty city centre department store into a soft play centre.
Bosses at Norwich BID, a not-for-profit organisation that represents businesses, said they welcome the new scheme to transform the former Debenhams building in Orford Street into a Fun Parx family entertainment park.
The surprising change of plans for the 1950s building came after a bid to level the site for student accommodation fell through.
Stefan Gurney, executive director at Norwich BID, said: "We welcome the news that a new use has been found for the former Debenhams building.
"Norwich has already seen significant investment in student accommodation, so it's encouraging to see a proposal that brings a different offer into the city centre.
"A family-focused leisure destination has the potential to increase footfall, support neighbouring businesses and add to the vibrancy of this part of the city.
"Most importantly, it brings a prominent vacant building back into active use and helps strengthen Norwich's city centre offer.”
Fun Parx centres typically feature inflatable obstacle courses, soft play structures, slides and retro video game arcades.
The firm's focus on providing children's entertainment parks has made others sceptical of the plans.
Nick Taylor, Reform UK chairman for Norwich, said the scheme doesn’t seem viable and might not be profitable.
Mr Taylor said: "I do not think it is an appropriate use of the building. I would like to see retail on the ground floor and residential upstairs.
"I do not know if it is viable, but good luck to them."
Orford House Developments was given the green light to demolish the building to make way for 377 student rooms in February.
A spokesman for the developer has since told the BBC that the scheme is no longer viable due to the "current economic climate".
Fun Parx currently has indoor play centres in Basildon, Cardiff, Wigan, Dundee and Edinburgh and has previously opened branches in other former Debenhams stores.
Share