Plans have been submitted by Aviva Investors to convert the former Hop House pub at Knights Park in Tunbridge Wells into a new FEC, featuring laser quest, minigolf, party rooms and an arcade.

The premises has remained vacant since it was closed by Greene King in 2022, and could now be refitted with a 2,300 sq ft Laser Quest arena, and 1,400 sq ft dedicated to the arcade.

“The application said no work was needed to the outside of the property,” reported Kent Live. “It said there would be one full-time employee needed, and 13 part-time.”

“The application states Knights Park has 836 car parking spaces, and the proposed children’s games centre would have 6,800 sq ft [of] floorspace. It names Laser Quest as the ‘host.’”

According to the change of use application, “the site is within an established existing retail and leisure park, which is located in close proximity to accessible forms of public transportation, and the road network.” 

“It is also pertinent to note that the proposal seeks the change of use of an existing pub restaurant unit with no new floorspace proposed to be created.”

A decision by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is expected in the coming months.