Nerf Is Opening An Epic Laser Battleground In Manchester This Year
Laura Rogan - Editor of Secret Manchester
Forget the kids…
From the makers of *those* toy guns (that annoy the heck out of everyone who’s encountered a child with one), a brand new IRL laser gun experience is coming to Manchester – and it sounds like a whole lotta fun.
Opening as a joint collaboration between Hasbro (the owners of Nerf) and Rocafella Leisure Group, the new site is slated to open within the Trafford Centre. Combining ‘laser guns’ and ‘virtual interactions’, the brand new leisure complex claims within its application that it will be ‘a market leading attraction’, and that it would ‘encourage dwell time within the shopping centre, attract levels of footfall and encourage linked trips’ and as a result, would bring a ‘positive contribution to activity’.
The site would be a first for Nerf in the UK, however, the brand has seen huge success with a similar leisure complex in Singapore – which was the world’s first-ever Nerf Action Xperience complex back in 2019. Consisting of 18,000 sq ft of fun, the family-friendly spot includes a ‘high-octane’ laser battle zone (including a zombie-infested city), a physical course combining the laser game with challenging obstacles and landscapes, and even a ‘Create’ zone where the kids can shoot paint at merchandise such as t-shirts and bags.
Sharing the news on LinkedIn back in September, Rocafella COO Phil Smith said: “I’m excited to announce that we are launching the UK’s first Nerf Action Experience at the Trafford Centre in early 2021. Taking UK family Entertainment Centres to the next level with the first of its kind. A huge thank you to @hasbro and their dedicated team.”
The £45m project has applied for a three-unit space that was originally earmarked by Trafford Council for additional food and drink venues within the shopping centre, and expects to create 50 jobs for the local community.