AN INDOOR playground featuring trampolines, inflatables and a "ninja" assault course is coming to Southend as part of the controversial Seaway project. 

Jump Inc are the latest business to sign up to Southend Council’s flagship £70 million scheme, which will also include new hotels, cinemas and restaurants'

Described as urban playground specilists, Jump Inc will also provide food and drink at their new site in Southend.

Director Michael Brocklebank said: “Trampolines, inflatables, football and our neon playground will all be part of the scheme, with a great street food offering.

“Established in 2015 we offer a great family experience come rain or shine, seven days a week.

"Our sites are very much family focused and we feel Southend is an ideal location for us”.

Jump Inc has committed to lease a 25,000 square feet unit, taking the Seaway project to 70 per cent of space pre-let prior to work beginning in spring next year.

Project bosses claim the firm’s involvement will create up to 50 jobs, which will contribute over £15 million every year to the city centre economy.

Paul Collins, councillor responsible for asset management and inward investment, said: “It’s very exciting to add another fantastic leisure activity to the Seaway line-up.

“We want Seaway to be a destination for people 365 days a year, with a focus on activities such as bowling and now indoor trampolining.

“It will be somewhere people will enjoy their evenings and weekends for years to come.”

Tim Deacon, director of Turnstone Estates, the firm behind the scheme, added: “Jump Inc will complement our line up extremely well. We are really pleased with the progress of lettings following the cabinet decision last year.

“We have also received an excellent response from the contractor market for this major project. Its clear people want to do business in Southend and we are committed to making that happen.”

The Seaway scheme, which includes an Imax cinema, Empire Cinema, Hollywood Bowl, Travelodge and a trio of restaurants – Burger Amour, DOUGH&Co and Kervan Kitchen – is being backed by £10million council funding.

Last week it was revealed project costs had jumped by another £20million, taking the total to an eye-watering £70million.