AN application to open a new leisure attraction in Bradford’s Broadway Shopping Centre has been approved.

Although much of Bradford city centre is currently on lockdown, planning officers have just approved a scheme to create a “ninja warrior” centre in the city - and say the proposed business could “enhance the vitality” of the shopping centre.

Submitted last month, the application was to turn a unit currently occupied by adult store Ann Summers, as well as a large area of unused first floor space above this store and neighbouring units, from retail to leisure “to facilitate the occupation of a Ninja Warrior Adventure Park and ancillary cafe.”

Inspired by the TV show, Ninja Warrior centres have become increasingly popular in recent years, and feature large scale obstacle courses suitable for a variety of ages.

Bradford's escape room Time Trapped set to expand into centre

Approving the application, planning officers said the business would bring the first floor space into use for the first time since the centre opened four and a half years ago.

Planning officers said: “The Core Strategy establishes a number of ways to help create a successful and competitive economy within the Bradford District.

“The proposal will boost the leisure sector in the area, allowing the diversification of the City Centre, whilst bringing a vacant unit into use and offering job prospects.

“The application form states the proposal will create 10 full time and 25 part time jobs. This lends favourably to the development.

“The proposal is considered to be acceptable. The new leisure use would complement the existing mixed offer of leisure and retail uses provided by The Broadway; it will bring the vacant upper floors into productive use for the first time. Although a unit will be taken out of retail use to facilitate pedestrian access, the affected frontage is limited and this will not any harm to the attractiveness for shopping.

“Indeed, if popular, the vitality of this part of the shopping centre could be enhanced by the use.”

Bradford Council area also due to decide on a separate application for a new leisure business in the centre.

Another application submitted last month was to turn two ground floor units, the Menkind store and an empty neighbouring unit, and empty first floor space above them and adjoining units, into a climbing centre.

When both plans were revealed, before the Coronavirus lockdown brought business across the country to a halt, bosses at the Broadway said the future of the retailers in these units in the centre would be announced in the coming weeks.