A NEW "really exciting" indoor activity centre, costing as much as £600,000 to build, is set to welcome families in Basildon, it has been revealed. 

Fun Parx is taking over part of the former Debenhams in the town's Eastgate Shopping Centre, and the company says there will be "something for everyone and all ages."

It will include; a large inflatable park, inflatable football pitches, arcades, soft play areas, vintage arcade games, a digger with a sandpit, interactive dart boards, shuffleboards, pool tables, a "monster" air slide – giving families tghe chance to go whizz down the slide face first go into air bag, an obstacle course and more.

It could be open by July, the owners say.  

Seven Fun Parx sites are due to open across the country by next year, and the company owners say their new Dundee centre had 8,000 visitors in its first few weeks.

The centre will have an entrance by McDonald's, and a new private hospital will be below it. Tickets will cost about £9.50 to £10 each.

Matt Tofts, an owner at Fun Parx, said: "The whole concept of Fun Parx is to have something for everyone and all ages, so it is totally inclusive.

"I guarantee the digger and sandpit will attract more adults than children. It will be like a mini Disneyland, with activities and fun for all the family.

"Designs are with the manufacturer currently and we are ripping out the old store, as it needs a lot of changes. I think the benefit is it's not only fun but about being active, so it's fun and fitness for all the family. Trampoline parks, where I used to work, often see parents and adults sit in a cafe but here they can more than get involved. Our ninja course isn't ultra hard but takes some skills. 

"I think it will be a bit of a workout for some parents and others, but it's meant to be more fun. The whole idea is people travel to different portals with something different.

"Our Dundee centre had 8,000 visitors in about two weeks. This will draw in more footfall for the Eastgate, especially as this part of the centre is often busy with kids getting fast food, so we are a healthier option. It's costing us around £600,000 for the refurbishment and opening.

"We want to keep it affordable and see more people enjoy what we have to offer. There will be preschool and special educational needs sessions and working with schools for trips too. It is really exciting." 

Announcing the new addition on Facebook, Cllr Gavin Callaghan, Labour leader of Basildon Council said: "We are going to have like a Ninja Warrior type facility going at the top of the Eastgate on the top floor of the old Debenhams."