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Search the Public Notice PortalA former Iceland supermarket is set to be transformed into a family gaming arcade after Somerset Council approved plans for a new amusement venue.
The attraction will take over the empty retail unit in the Quedam Centre, Yeovil, which has remained vacant since Iceland closed its doors earlier this year after its lease expired.
The new venue, operated by High Score Arcades Ltd, will offer visitors timed sessions with access to a wide range of arcade and skill-based games, according to planning documents.
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Plans approved by Somerset Council on Tuesday, September 22, describe the development as a family-friendly attraction aimed at children, adults, groups and visitors of all ages.
Instead of supermarket aisles and freezers, the building is expected to house a mix of retro arcade games, modern amusement machines, driving simulators, air hockey tables, basketball games and pinball machines.
The supporting documents state that there are no cash-operated gaming machines, prize machines, or gambling activities on site.
The approval marks a significant new arrival for Yeovil town centre and brings a fresh use to one of the Quedam Centre's largest empty units.
When applying for permission, the company argued the scheme could help attract more visitors into the town centre at a time when many high streets continue to face challenges from online shopping and changing consumer habits.
A planning statement submitted with the application said: “The proposal will make productive use of an existing commercial unit within Yeovil town centre, helping to increase activity and footfall within The Quedam Centre.”
The statement added: “Introducing a complementary leisure use will encourage people to spend longer in the town centre, benefiting surrounding retailers, cafés and other businesses through increased visitor numbers and dwell time.”
Council planners agreed that the development would help bring the vacant building back into use while adding something new to the town centre.
Their report concluded the facility would increase footfall, encourage visitors to spend time in nearby shops and cafés, create jobs and strengthen the leisure offer available in Yeovil.
The plans also received backing from Yeovil Town Council, which supported the application, while Yeovil's town centre regeneration manager welcomed the proposal as a way of diversifying the town centre and filling a vacant unit.
No external alterations are planned, meaning the changes will take place entirely inside the former supermarket.
The venue will operate as a supervised family attraction with CCTV and management procedures in place.
Conditions attached to the approval mean it can only operate as a family amusement centre and not other forms of gaming venue.
The venue will be closed from Monday to Thursday, and open 4pm-8pm Friday and 10am-8pm on weekends, bank holidays and school holidays.
If the project moves ahead as planned, one of Yeovil's prominent vacant shops could soon be welcoming visitors once again, this time in search of high scores rather than frozen food.
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