The first official Nerf Action Experience attraction in Britain is one step closer to opening in Manchester.
Plans have been lodged to transform several units in the Trafford Centre into a Nerf battleground and adventure attraction.
It's a collaboration between game brand Hasbro and Rocafella Leisure Group which is expected to cost in the region of £4.5m.
The news comes after plans to change 25,000 sq ft of units at Barton Square - originally earmarked as restaurants - were placed with Trafford Council.
The application reveals that three first floor units will be combined to create the space to accommodate the adventure attraction.
A 4,000 sq ft mezzanine floor is also planned, with room for a café and a viewing platform.
The application states that Nerf is a 'family entertainment leisure experience, incorporating laser guns and virtual interactions and is a market leading attraction with 20 attractions across Europe'.
"Nerf’s occupancy at Barton Square will be their first UK destination," it adds.
Developers added that the occupation of Nerf at Barton Square will 'encourage dwell time within the shopping centre, attract levels of footfall and encourage linked trips' , which they say will bring a 'positive contribution to activity' within the shopping centre, providing 'jobs and social benefits that contribute to the vitality and viability of the shopping centre as a whole'.
The new Nerf Action Xperience is expected to create over 50 jobs, say bosses.
The news was first revealed back in September by Phil Smith, the Chief Operating Officer of Rocafella Leisure Group.
Writing on ConnectedIn, he claimed: “I’m excited to announce that we are launching the UK’s first Nerf Action Experience at the Trafford Centre in early 2021. Taking UK family Entertainment Centres to the next level with the first of its kind. A huge thank you to @hasbro and their dedicated team.”
A spokesperson for Barton Square said: “We’re in talks with a number of exciting brands who are looking to open at Barton Square following its transformation last year.
"This is part of plans to build a vibrant retail and leisure destination that our visitors will enjoy.”
While the Manchester adventure centre will be the first in the UK, the first one in the world opened in Singapore in 2019.
The plans haven't revealed exactly what's in store for the Manchester attraction, but if the Singapore version is anything to go by, we can expect multiple 'zones' in an arena-type set up with a variety of challenges and games split over different areas and themes.
The Trafford Centre Nerf Action Xperience will join Sealife Manchester and the Legoland Discovery Centre as one of the attractions located at Barton Square.
