New '˜trampoline arena' could be built on site of former Northamptonshire packaging depot

Portman Leisure Limited has applied to convert the former CityLink depot in Riverside Business Park into a 2,640 sq metre out-of-town leisure facility.

The main area will take up around 60 per cent of the ground floor of the premises, with 50 “interconnected trampolines incorporating tumble tracks, blocks, vaults, boxes and angled wall trampolines.”

The downstairs area could also see foam pits for various trampoline activities, “including aerial tricks and freestyle,” basketball lanes and a “dodgeball trampoline zone,” which Portman Leisure says could also be used during general sessions, for competitions and other group sporting events.

The application also states there would be toddler zones aimed at children aged eight or under, featuring a soft area of trampolines filled with “bounces, foam, adventure and exploration.” The plan would see a cafe built as well.

Portman Leisure states the business “will offer a range of individual sessions for customers, as well as group sporting events, fitness classes and other associated activities.”

The company also says the proposals could create up to 50 full and part-time jobs when fully open and would bring a disused industrial building back into use.

The City Link depot in Northampton closed in early 2015, with the loss of around 30 jobs.

A planning statement sent to the borough council states the developers considered six other sites within Northampton at Lodge Farm Industrial Estate and the former Allen Ford garage on Harlestone Roar, now occupied by SJ Motors.

But Portman Leisure said the other sites were either too small, did not have the right height for a trampoline facility , or did not have a big enough car parking area.