AN INDOOR trampoline park could be coming to Basildon’s Festival Leisure Park as it continues to invest in familyfriendly entertainment.

Gravity Force wants to convert an industrial unit in Festival Way to include a jumping area, a foam pit and an area for sports, such as dodgeball and volleyball.

The park, previously dubbed Bas Vegas due to its clubbing and night-time activities, is overhauling its image, adding new restaurants and an Imax cinema screen.

The trampoline park could open from 10am to 10pm weekdays, 9am to 11pm weekends, and employ as many as 30 staff, according to planning documents.

A statement submitted by planning consultants Fuller Long said: “The proposal will bring an exciting, new leisure concept to Basildon, which is already proving successful in the USA and is taking off in the UK.

“Indoor trampoline play is a unique and safe way for people of all ages to have fun while at the same time obtaining significant health benefits.

“In addition to the activity areas mentioned above, fitness classes incorporating aerial aerobics with calisthenics will be provided.”

If approved, an extra 20 parking spaces would be created outside the unit, bring the total to 47.

The planning statement added: “The proposals provide significant benefits to community, both in terms of employment and by providing a high quality leisure facility that will be open to all.”

Gravity Force already operates a trampoline park in Camberley, Surrey, which opened last year in a disused warehouse.

It offers an hour of “free jumping” for £10 and catered parties for £16.95 per person.

If approved, the centre would become the second trampoline park to open in Basildon this year. In March, a new park, called DropZone, opened at the former Robins Cinema in North Gunnels, near the town centre.

A public consultation period on the application ends next Friday.

Basildon Council aims to make a decision on the plan in late June.

Head-to-head competition

FESTIVAL Leisure Park and Basildon town centre are entering into direct competition with each other to attract visitors.

Nightclubs at Festival Leisure Park closed down earlier this year as the venue aims to reinvent itself as a venue for families.

The Bas Vegas complex of clubs – Liquid, Envy, New York New York and JJs – was bulldozed in March.

The clubs will be replaced by three restaurants and a children’s soft play centre, which is likely to create about 70 jobs.

Next month, a new Imax screen will open at Empire Cinemas, at Festival Leisure Park, which will debut with a screening of the new Jurassic Park film.

Elements of Basildon Council’s town centre redevelopment plans have been criticised due to existing facilities at Festival Leisure Park.

Last year, leader Phil Turner put forward £30million plans for bars, restaurants and a cinema for the square outside Brooke House.

Labour and Ukip opponents questioned the logic of the investment because it would only replicate what is on offer elsewhere.

The plans were put on hold after the Eastgate Centre unveiled a £20million plan for a new cinema on its top floor.

Basildon Council granted planning approval in March, but the cinema is not expected to open for two years.

Mr Turner said: “The town centre is every bit as viable as Festival Leisure Park, but we don’t want to kill one in favour of the other.

“Going head-to-head is great for competition, but it would be nice if we can work out the offering at each site and what benefits residents.

“We are trying to improve life for residents and the town centre is such an opportunity – I think in ten years it will look a lot different.”