Manchester Arndale boosts leisure offer with two key signings

M&G Real Estate and intu, joint owners of Manchester Arndale, have announced further growth to the centre’s leisure offer with the opening of Electric Playbox and Roxy Lanes this Summer.

Electric Playbox has signed a 10-year lease for a 3,047 sq ft unit at Halle Place, while Roxy Lanes has signed a 20-year lease for 14,000 sq ft of space on Withy Grove.

Both venues are expected to open in line with the Government advice issued for leisure venues.

Electric Playbox is an interactive digital adventure with each ‘playbox’ offering a different concept.

Visuals and graphics are projected onto all four walls in each booth and customers’ movements are tracked using motion sensors and touch screens.

Each challenge has a different theme designed for groups of mixed ages, with children from eight-years-old and upwards understanding the game play and being able to join the fun.

Co-founded by Will Dean, who created Tough Mudder – the well-known endurance race series – Electric Playbox’s Manchester site will be its first outside London and its second in the UK.

Along with his business partner, Will built Electric Playbox with the vision of creating a concept which brings people together using technology in a social way.

He wanted a game in which people can immerse themselves, rather than just play.

Electric Playbox will open in Halle Place, alongside occupiers including popular burger and milkshake restaurant Archie’s, Italian street food vendor Wolf and Mexican food chain, Barburrito.

Roxy Lanes at Manchester Arndale will be its 10th UK venue and its second in the city, alongside its popular Deansgate venue.

Roxy offers friendly competitive games, including bowling, gaming and indoor golf, which visitors can enjoy alongside great food and drink.

It will open on Withy Grove, on the site of the former Birdcage nightclub.

The new venue will offer a range of exciting activities designed for family and friends to have fun as well as corporate team bonding.

Manchester Arndale continues to diversify its occupancy, bringing in more leisure options to sit alongside its vast mix of major retail brands, which includes Next, Foot Locker and Samsung.

Colin Flinn, regional managing director at intu, said on behalf of the joint owners: “While people have been unable to visit leisure and non-essential retail venues over the last few months, we’re expecting an increase in demand over the coming weeks as lockdown restrictions lift.

“We want to ensure that Manchester Arndale remains an exciting, fun and safe place for all of our customers to visit time and again.

“Consumer behaviours across the UK will continue to change and shopping centres will no longer just be about retail – our customers are looking for a day out and something to entertain the whole family.

“It has given us the opportunity to explore new ways we can create a destination which is unique and works for a city with such a big character.”

He added: “Manchester Arndale is an iconic city centre destination and the introduction of Electric Playbox and Roxy Ballroom is a testament to the centre’s enduring success and popularity and its ability to adapt to new trends.

“Extending our leisure offer means we’re providing something people can’t just purchase online. These two venues are great additions to the dynamic mix of shops, restaurants and leisure facilities people can enjoy.”

Will Dean, chief executive and co-founder of Electric Playbox, said: “Manchester is the perfect location for our second venue in the UK.

Roxy Lanes

“Manchester Arndale sits in the heart of this vibrant city and we are confident customers will enjoy everything we have to offer. There’s a real buzz in Manchester and it has such a unique personality. We can’t wait to be part of the city’s spirted community and introduce Electric Playbox to the city.”

A Roxy Lanes spokesperson said: “We’ve always wanted to open a second site in the city and Manchester Arndale is a perfect location. It’s a great space for our customers to enjoy our fun and exciting activities we have in store.”

Last year, Manchester Arndale let more than 95,000 sq ft of space to retail, food and beverage and leisure occupiers. Specsavers and Foot Locker both moved into larger units last year to develop new flagship regional stores.

Cosmetics brand Morphe opened its first store in Manchester, leasing a 4,500 sq ft space on New Cannon Street. The brand sells a wide range of makeup, brushes, tools and accessories, and has a significant Instagram and celebrity following.

Manchester Arndale is one of the UK’s largest city centre shopping malls, welcoming more than 42 million visitors per year. It already boasts an impressive line-up of more than 200 shops and restaurants, including national, international and local brands.

The retained agents at Manchester Arndale are Time Retail Partners and Metis Real Estate Advisors.