by Bradley Gray, reporter

 

An adventure golf course and a gymnastics club will move into the ex-Dickens World site in Chatham’s Dockside leisure park.

The development, which will also include an expansion to Nando’s, was given unanimous approval at Medway Council planning committee meeting on Wednesday evening, and is expected to create over fifty jobs.

The Dickens World site has been empty since the £62 million theme park closed two years ago.

Martin Potter was one of Medway’s councillors who approved the development.

“I welcome the building being brought back into use and I think the planned attractions will be excellent additions to the entertainment offer at Dockside.

“I know from personal experience that adventure golf and gymnastic activities are particularly popular and good fun, and I have every confidence the new attractions will prove popular and successful.”

Entering the site will be Gymfinity, a gymnastics centre specifically for under 16-year-olds, and Mighty Claws, an adventure golf course with a prehistoric theme.

With both new businesses aiming specifically towards younger people, and with the nearby Flip Out trampoline park, it looks more and more that Dockside is becoming the place to be for family days out.

Shane Hansford, assistant manager for the Hancock’s American restaurant, says that the trade these new businesses will bring will provide excellent foot traffic for Dockside’s restaurants.

“The adventure golf course sound like it will be a family orientated one; all the restaurants around here are family specific.

“I think the impact it will have on all the businesses around here will definitely be a good one.”