Schroder UK Real Estate Fund (SREF) is today announcing that Ninja Warrior UK Adventure Park will be opening its first experience in Kent at Chatham Waterside, as retail and leisure destinations respond to the demand for more experiential offerings.
SREF, part of Schroders Capital, the private assets specialist investment division of Schroders, confirmed the new entertainment attraction, operated by Prime Leisure Group would be occupying the 30,000 sq ft former Dickens World unit on a 15-year lease, at the popular leisure site which SREF acquired for £12.9m in 2013. This includes an Odeon Cinema alongside Pure Gym, Gymfinity Kids and well-known restaurant operators such as Nandos, Subway and Pizza Hut.
Inspired by the hit ITV entertainment show which sees contestants tackle a series of tough obstacle courses in a bid to be crowned Ninja Warrior for the UK, the Ninja Warrior UK Adventure Park provides a physical adventure experience for all the family. Chatham Waterside will be the latest venue for the Ninja Warrior UK Adventure Park brand, which already operate at over 10 different venues across the UK.
The letting to operators, Prime Leisure Group, marks the first phase of a major strategic repositioning of Chatham Waterside. The well-publicised difficulties faced by the leisure and food and beverage industries have adversely impacted the sector, but the letting of the former Dickens World unit to Ninja Warrior UK Adventure Park will be followed by the opening of a new 18,500 sq ft kids club and nursery facility, Gymfinity Kids, who hope to open to the public before Christmas 2021.
In addition, deals with three new food and beverage tenants, and an exciting leisure concept have also been agreed on the ground floor. SREF is set to make further announcements on these lettings in the near future.
The revitalised tenant line-up will feature a host of popular restaurants and leisure brands. The focus is on repositioning Chatham Waterside to create a fully-let scheme with a tenant mix that remains relevant and resilient in the modern retailing environment.
Tom Woolven, Investment Manager for SREF, said: “We are excited that Ninja Warrior UK Adventure Park has chosen Chatham Waterside as its first location in Kent. The arrival of such a popular and high-profile tenant is just the first of a series of new businesses that we expect to introduce to Chatham Waterside this year, as we bounce back from the challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Experiential offerings are continuing to grow across the UK and are a great way to attract visitors to retail and leisure destinations, so we look forward to working with Prime Leisure Group, in addition to our current and prospective new tenants as we continue to enhance Chatham Waterside as one of Kent’s premier leisure destinations.”
Prime Leisure Group added: “We’re delighted to be opening our second Ninja Warrior UK Adventure Park and bringing a new slice of brilliant, wholesome family entertainment to Chatham following huge successes in Watford. Expect to tackle some obstacles very similar to the television show – including a chance to try and beat our very own warped wall!”
Ninja Warrior UK Adventure Park at Chatham Waterside will be opening early December 2021.