A trampoline centre destroyed by fire last year could be set to bounce back into action as part of a major new development near Nuneaton.
The building which housed the Red Kangaroo Trampoline Centre was devasted by a major blaze last October.
More than 70 firefighters attended the blaze School Lane but were unable to save the building which had been converted to a trampoline and play centre earlier in the year.
Now the Wigley Group, owners of the site, have submitted a planning application to create a bespoke home for Red Kangaroo as well as an additional office or industrial building.
It is hopeful that if plans are approved, work could start this summer with a provisional re-opening date in early 2020.
Mike Vining, who is heading up the project for The Wigley Group, said the new centre would be purpose-designed for Red Kangaroo and would provide one of the best centres of its type in the UK.
“The fire, which was proved to have been started accidentally, was devasting for us and for Red Kangaroo but we vowed at the time that we would ensure that the site was regenerated.
“We have had to work at great speed to bring this business back to the people of Nuneaton, Bedworth and Coventry and are pleased that the plans are now lodged with the council for the rebuild. The council have also been massively supportive and we are all grateful for their assistance.”
The new unit will be 32,000 sq ft and will include a 7,000sq ft mezzanine, and the second unit will be around 25,000 sq ft. The Wigley Group is ploughing extra investment into the site on top of the insurance settlement to create the two new buildings.
Paul Wrightman, managing director of Red Kangaroo, said: “We were totally devasted by the fire so this is really good news. We had worked hard to create a family facility and had been totally embraced by the local community.
“We employed local people and had built up a loyal customer base in the short time we had been open and that is just what we will do once again – but this time in a purpose-built and designed complex.”
James Davies, manging director of The Wigley Group, said the new layout of the site would create local jobs.
“While on the one hand we never wanted to be in this position and the fire caused massive harm, it does allow us to plan this site from a clean slate and to be able to deliver a state-of-the-art centre for Red Kangaroo alongside providing some industrial and commercial employment at the location and that will be good for the local economy.”