Latest news with #MegaBowl
Press and Journal
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
Look back at Mega Bowl as John Lewis revamp hopes to bring back the magic to George Street
Mega Bowl on Aberdeen's George Street was a cherished spot for generations of city youngsters. It was where they would while away the hours on school holidays, and a go-to destination for high-spirited birthday parties. And at night, it would turn into a bar filled with revellers. It closed at the end of 2005, and the majority of the building was later knocked down – leaving only an unassuming frontage behind. But now, developers are looking to bring back some of the magic to forlorn George Street with massive plans to transform the old John Lewis building. Under the vision, it would become a 25-lane bowling alley with laser tag upstairs – along with a bar, restaurant and go-karting across two floors. The building actually started out life as the City Cinema in 1935. According to the Silver Screen in the Silver City book, it was 'one of the widest cinema auditoria in Scotland'. But with the rise of TV in the 1960s, new uses were being found for many buildings across Aberdeen and beyond as attendances fell. When this one closed, owners Associated British Cinema (ABC) spent £300,000 turning it into a 10-pin bowling alley known then as Aberdeen Bowl… Continuing the movie theme, actor Jess Conrad, actress Jess Foster and notorious film legend Oliver Reed opened the new venue. Throughout the following decades, it was passed to different operators and underwent a revamp in the late 1980s. It was later known as Super Bowl, where it advertised 'serious fun with a laser gun' in the form of Quasar. An advert in the Evening Express from the start of 1997 promotes its 'January Sale' – with a free Molson beer for anyone buying two games of bowling. But by the turn of the millennium it became the Mega Bowl most noughties kids now look back on with nostalgic wonder. As well as bowling lanes, the venue had a range of arcade and slot machines ready to gobble up handfuls of pocket money. Party packages would be on offer, comprising the ultimate day out of bowling and laser-quest – with a bite to eat at the cafe in between. We've gathered up some archive images showing off the venue in its glory days. Can you spot yourself in any? The area for grown-ups upstairs was home to some equally high-spirited scenes over the years. We had our photographer go along for a works Christmas night out to capture some festive fun from the early days of the 21st Century. It was in May 2005 that the first hint of trouble emerged, as the landlord put the site up for sale. Optimistic bowling bosses hoped they would be able to relocate the business. But bittersweet final games were played in 2005, as Mega Bowl closed that December – leaving 30 people out of work. Manager Alan Tough said the closure was due to rising rent costs and competition from other bowling venues In 2007, the massive rear of the building was demolished to make way for the new Hilton Garden Inn hotel – which itself shut in 2020 and is now student flats. Gallery: Looking back at the changing face of George Street in Aberdeen New Aberdeen go-karting mecca at John Lewis 'will bring forgotten George Street back to life' Gallery: Look back at nights out in The Priory over the years as fans relish return of Aberdeen nightspot
Press and Journal
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Press and Journal
Mini golf, laser arena and 25-lane bowling alley planned for John Lewis as bosses hit out at critics
The owners of Aberdeen's closed John Lewis have revealed more details on how they plan to breathe new life into the forlorn city centre building. Earlier this year, EP Properties submitted proposals to turn the huge George Street site into a new go-karting, arcade and bowling destination. It came after months of uncertainty and speculation over the future of the building that had homed the department store for 30 years before its closure in 2021. The news sparked fresh hopes for the abandoned Norco House, with Aberdeen business leaders hailing it as a 'catalyst to reviving a forgotten area of the city'. Not all were in favour of the ambitious project, however, with neighbours raising a number of concerns over how the venue would 'impact their quality of life'. Meanwhile, rival go-kart firms hit out at the proposals too. But Norco House owners have now hit back at the complaints, while also detailing what exactly would be featured in the new go-karting mecca. Fresh planning documents reveal the ground floor of the building will be turned into a bowling alley with 25 lanes, with designated arcade and 'party' areas. There would also be four pool tables and a lounge area, where food and drinks would be served. How the first floor would be used is still to be confirmed, with EP Properties saying they are currently in talks with potential tenants willing to rent it out as a restaurant. The go-kart tracks will stretch across the second and third floor, essentially linking the two areas into one big centre for racing fans with ramps offering some added excitement. In addition, there would be a mini golf area, a karting workshop and changing rooms on the second floor. And the latest documents reveal a laser arena is planned on the third floor – perhaps bringing back memories of the old Quasertag at George Street's Mega Bowl. Planning documents say creating such a facility on George Street will help with council plans to turn the neighbourhood into a 'major regional centre'. They add: 'An active leisure use, which will be open during the day and into the evening, will ensure greater pedestrian footfall, adding to the vibrancy and animation of George Street.' While some have been in favour of the redevelopment of the huge vacant building, nearby residents have raised concerns over how this would impact their homes. Richard Tinto of Tinto Architecture, who is leading several revamp projects in the city centre, previously said this could be the spark that 'brings George Street back to life'. But other go-kart operators argued Aberdeen doesn't need more indoor racing tracks. They fear the existing two venues at Bridge of Don and Codona's could loose out on trade if the John Lewis proposals are approved. EP Properties officials have now hit out at these complaints, saying that 'competition between businesses is not a material planning consideration'. They add: 'The operators of the various elements have carried out their own research to understand the market and have determined there is scope for the leisure facilities being proposed.' Neighbours also objected to the plans, with 50 pleading to the council for them to be scrapped while seven people sent in letters of support. The main concerns raised were over a potential influx of boozed-up punters causing havoc after visiting the leisure centre, as well as traffic congestion. Some also worry that having a fleet of go-karts zooming up and down the tracks on their doorstep would be too noisy and disrupt their evenings. But owners explain that there will be 'limited impact' on residential properties in the area as their proposals are similar to how the building was used before. And as they would use electric go-karts, these would be quieter. They reckon there will be little change as the entrance to the venue will remain the same, immediately across from the Bon Accord Centre and away from homes. A recent noise assessment has also concluded that 'the internal noise levels will have no detriment to either the existing commercial or residential premises'. And when it comes to traffic concerns, bosses believe there would actually be less disruption as there wouldn't be as many deliveries and no customer collection point. Meanwhile, they say claims that the venue will contribute to an increase in anti-social behaviour in the area 'have not been justified'. Papers add: 'There is no evidence to suggest that a proposed leisure development will encourage anti-social behaviour. 'Any public house elements of the proposals will require the appropriate licences which will include conditions to ensure the appropriate behaviour of users.'
