PLANS to convert a former nightclub into a climbing wall centre with "significant new employment" have been given the go-ahead. 

Basildon Council has given Aviva Investors planning permission to convert the former Unit 7 nightclub at Festival Leisure Park in Basildon into a climbing wall centre.

The plans show a party room, soft play area, kitchen, toilets, and more. 

The council planning officer's report states that no external alterations are proposed as part of the development. However, the report says there will be a reduction in floor area due to the removal of part of the existing mezzanine floor to create a double-height space for climbing walls.

The nightclub shut down in July last year. The leisure park has several businesses, including Cineworld, Hollywood Bowl, and Holiday Inn, as well as several restaurants, including Pizza Express and Five Guys. 

The council officer's report adds: "The proposal would bring back into use a large vacant commercial premises previously used as a nightclub that closed in July 2024, close to a year ago, within the centre of the leisure park and for a large recreational and or leisure-related use. 

"Twenty-six new full-time employee positions would be created, which is likely higher than that attributed to the former nightclub use.

"This will provide stable local employment opportunities and associated disposable income that would boost the wider Basildon economy."