Aqua Park Group opens major intu Lakeside attraction

Aqua Park Groups Ltd, which runs water-based attractions featuring obstacles like climbing walls, trampolines and giant slides, started fitting out its first shopping centre venue on the popular destination’s lake earlier this year. It includes more than 30 inflatable obstacles to attract families and groups of friends.

The lake is already a major draw for the centre, sitting at the heart of intu Lakeside’s new leisure development and overlooked by a number of restaurants as well as the centre’s Travelodge hotel.

Simon James, managing director, Aqua Park Groups Ltd, said “We are delighted to be opening at intu Lakeside, where the synergy of leisure and retail creates a great environment to grow a business for us.” 

Nickelodeon Adventure, Puttshack and Hollywood Bowl are among other day-out attractions to launch at the 175,00 sq ft leisure development last summer, helping to boost footfall to intu Lakeside by nearly 25 per cent over February half term compared to the same time last year.

Martin Breeden, centre performance director for intu, said: “intu Lakeside’s lake is a fantastic asset for the centre, overlooked by a number of restaurants as well as our new leisure development. It is the perfect location for Aqua Park’s first shopping centre site.

“Brands like Aqua Park are still keen to join the centre’s burgeoning leisure offer because of the potential to flourish here. This has enormous potential to increase intu Lakeside’s footfall, dwell time and catchment even further.”

A number of retail brands including Harrods Beauty Hall, Zara and River Island have all invested in new or bigger stores at the centre.