WIDNES SUPERBOWL STRIKES AT THE HIVE
Widnes’ new bowling centre welcomed more than 2000 visitors through its doors after opening to the public on Saturday (24th September).
The 16-lane Widnes Superbowl is the first attraction to open at the town’s new £10 million leisure park – The Hive.
The bowling alley was officially opened at a ribbon cutting event on Friday (23rd September) which saw the Mayor, Cllr Keith Morley, bowl the first ball down the lane. Children from Simms Cross Primary School, which has taken a keen interest in the development of The Hive, were then invited to the centre to have the first game.
Widnes Superbowl, which also houses a Crazy Club indoor soft play area with a Quasar Elite function, is part of the first phase of the development to open and will be followed by the town’s new Reel Cinema with digital 3D technology on 14th October.
The first phase also includes a Frankie and Benny’s and Nando’s restaurant which are both set to open before the end of the year. Phase two of the development will see a 36,000 sq ft ice rink and 60-bedroom Premier Inn hotel with adjoining Brewers Fayre family pub and restaurant open early next year.
The Hive has been developed jointly by Halton Borough Council and St. Modwen.
Andy Coverley, centre manager at Widnes Superbowl, said: “The whole project has come together really smoothly and we’re excited to be the first unit to open. The site is set to be a great hub of leisure and entertainment in the borough and we’re delighted to be a part of it.”
Speaking at the opening event Cllr Tom McInerney, Halton Borough Council’s Executive Board member for Physical Environment, said: “I’d like to say a big welcome to Widnes Superbowl as the first unit to open here at The Hive, and I want to congratulate Andy Coverly, the centre manager, for bringing this great facility here and providing jobs for local people. I’m sure it’s going to be very popular with people from Halton and further afield.
“I would just like to mention Tony McDermott, whose vision this project was and who steered this project from the very beginning. Unfortunately he can’t be here today but he is delighted that the Superbowl has opened and the rest of the Hive will soon follow.
“This leisure park is something the Council has been working towards for many years. It will bring this area back to life, and provide a fantastic choice of much-needed leisure activities for the whole family.”
Michael Hosie, development manager at St. Modwen, said: “The opening of Widnes Superbowl is the first in a series of exciting milestones which will see the whole of phase one open to the public by the end of the year. It’s fantastic to see all the plans coming to fruition.”
The Hive was recently announced as being 100 per cent pre-let after the remaining 3,880 sq ft of space was secured by Nando’s.
