Indoor adventure park takes slice of former John Lewis at Atria Watford

Indoor adventure park concept Flip Out is set to take a chunk of the former John Lewis department store at Atria Watford.

Opening later this year, the 33,000 sq ft venue will offer a variety of activities such as dodgems, soft play, a gaming zone, roller-skating, donut slides, trampolines, and an inflatable area.

Flip Out at Atria Watford will also house a Ninja Playground arena, featuring obstacles and tasks for friends and family to take each other on in a competitive environment. A ‘Laser Quest’ experience will also be available, where players will be pitted against one another in a space-themed stage surrounded by bright lights, special effects, and mazes.

A food and drinks menu will also be available at an on-site diner, offering the likes of pizza, burgers, hot dogs, and Costa Coffee.

Other operators which have taken space in the former John Lewis department store include B&M, Dunelm, Poundland, Choice Discount, and a combined store for Peacocks and Bonmarché.

Steve Gray, head of European retail asset management at Global Mutual, said: “Experiences now sit at the core of retail. Guests no longer visit our centres simply to shop – footfall is driven by the offer of a ‘day out’, with a strong leisure and hospitality offer central to this.

“This is why we’re delighted to see Flip Out join the Atria Watford line-up. This is somewhere fun and exciting that families and children of all ages can enjoy. We know the opening will create a real buzz.

“It joins an already strong leisure line-up – including Rock Up, Puttshack, Escape Hunt and Boom Battle Bar.”

Atria Watford spans 1.4 million sq ft and is home to brands such as Next, Mango, Uniqlo, and Hollister. It is owned by SGS, with Global Mutual and Savills retained as asset manager and property manager respectively.