9-lane bowling alley for Sittingbourne

An application for a 9-lane bowling alley in Sittingbourne has been submitted to Swale Borough Council.

The plans have been put forward by The Light, the firm behind the 8-screen cinema currently being fitted out in the new Bourne Place development between the high street and train station for opening in October.

The application proposes a change of use of one of the ground floor restaurant units that would share an entrance with the cinema above.

If approved, the bowling alley would join the 63 bed Travelodge hotel, the Light Cinema, restaurants such as Nando's, Pizza Express, and Loungers.



Cllr Roger Truelove, leader of the council, said:

“I really welcome this initiative by Light.

“A bowling alley is something that many people have asked for over the years, and the more we can diversify the leisure offer at Bourne Place the better.

“It will help give people more reasons to visit the town centre more often and for longer periods.

“I would like to commend cabinet member Monique Bonney for the work she has put into this innovative plan”



Cllr Monique Bonney, cabinet member for economy and property at the council, said:

“This is really exciting news for Sittingbourne and, if approved, should be a major attraction for the borough.

“We are working very hard with the tenants to deliver a more diverse offer for local people and visitors that will be less dependent on restaurants than the original scheme.

“If we want our town centres to thrive, we need a broader offer to attract more visitors to support our local businesses and jobs.”

The application 20/503138/FULL is expected to be decided by the planning committee in the next few months.

I can confirm that Nando's, Pizza Express, and Loungers are all still coming.

Hi. I read yest that the bowling alley is being proposed to go into the units which Nando’s and Pizza Express were going.

Does this mean they are no longer coming? Or just moving to the other units ?

Emma