Seal's Cove activity centre to open in Bridport

The long-awaitied Seal's Cove indoor activity centre, which has been several years in the making, is due to open this month at a site in Shoe Lane on St Andrew's Trading Estate.

The vision of local businessman Chris Seal, the complex will include a soft play centre with 'tunnels, death slides and interactive zones over three-storeys', a café, an indoor climbing centre which includes a 10-metre high 'ridge' wall, plus a party function room with exciting features including a Playstation game zone.

Future additions to the business will include a four-lane shooting range, a 35-metre indoor caving system which is being constructed, plus a 180-seat restaurant which will open later in the year.

As reported in 2020, a drinks and entertainment licence was agreed for the venue. Residents living nearby objected to the licence fearing disturbance into the evening but Mr Seal told a licensing hearing that, despite local rumours, he had no plans to turn it into a late-night drinking venue and was only planning to run a family entertainment centre.

Managers say they are proud to announce that after a 'four-year journey' they are ready to open the first instalment of the centre which will offer something totally different for the area.

The opening - on Monday, June 27 - follows a number of hurdles which have delayed the launch.

This included significant building repairs, the pandemic and then major supply chain issues for various materials.

The long-awaited project is now ready to launch.

General manager Tess Frecknall, who joined the team in February, said other staff would be starting next week.

The initial team will be made up of 30 local people - from full time positions to 'junior crew' who will work around school and holidays.

The business has worked closely with a number of local contractors which staff say 'have worked so very hard to provide Bridport with an exceptional and unique venue'.

Tess said: "We are very keen to work with the local community to offer an exceptional venue they can be proud of, and that they feel a part of. We will be releasing extra sessions and activities over the next few months as we learn what is working and what the demand is for each facility.

"This venue has been a long time coming - promising on several occasions to 'nearly be there' - so I'm delighted to have been able to join the team just at the right time to help achieve a summer 2022 opening date.

"Please pop in and see us - you are very welcome to come and investigate - and hopefully you'll see that the wait has been worth it."

Matt Wales, who will be running the Jurassic Ridge Climbing Centre, said: "The construction and design team behind the venue have worked tirelessly to complete this amazing and unique venue - we are very proud to introduce Seal's Cove to the local area.

"My crew in Jurassic Ridge Climbing Centre can't wait to welcome all the local climbers - young and old - we are extremely family friendly, and this is such a great facility for our town so come and see us soon."

Staff said prices 'have not yet been finalised' but along with general entry fees party packages will be offered along with a membership scheme.

Booking for all the activities will be via sealscove.co.uk - the website will be launched just ahead of the scheduled opening date of June 27.

Staff start to take up their positions from June 20 after which the venue will be contactable for any additional queries or date checking, but bookings will be strictly online. The venue will also be operating a cashless system.

Latest announcements will be made on the Facebook page.