£72m Lakeside leisure extension officially launches

Retail specialist intu has officially launched its £72 leisure extension at Lakeside in the South East.

The 225,000 sq ft expansion has opened this week, comprising food concept The Hall as well as a range of leisure amenities including a cinema, a mini golf venue and trampoline park brand.

The launch follows the group’s unveiling of its vision to develop more than 1,000 homes at the site as part of its new five-year strategy.

intu hopes that the leisure extension will increase footfall at Lakeside by two million and transform the centre into a major south east tourist destination.

Matthew Roberts, intu chief executive, said, “Compelling leisure experiences are well-recognised drivers of shopping centre footfall and dwell time and a project of this scale is a real first for the UK market.

“It has been created to ensure intu Lakeside remains one of the country’s most popular retail and leisure destinations for many years to come and we have curated a fantastic mix of flourishing leisure and dining brands to guarantee its success.”