Inflata Nation adds bounce to buoyant Flemingate

Michelle and Matt Ball (front) with Wykeland Group Property Director David Donkin.

THE UK’s first double-decker inflatable theme park has opened at Beverley’s Flemingate centre, marking a major milestone in the development of East Yorkshire’s fastest-growing retail and leisure destination.

The opening of Inflata Nation means Flemingate is now 95% let, with footfall continuing to grow strongly.

Inflata Nation is the first venue of its kind in East Yorkshire and adds a family-friendly leisure attraction to Flemingate’s range of uses. The £700,000 inflatables centre is the first in the country with two levels and also has the UK’s largest ball pool, housing 200,000 plastic spheres.

Developed and owned by Hull-based property company Wykeland Group, Flemingate is Beverley’s largest-ever regeneration scheme. The brownfield development opened less than three years ago on the site of a disused tannery just 300 metres from the heart of Beverley town centre.

In addition to many leading national retailers that could not previously be accommodated in Beverley, Flemingate has brought much-needed facilities to the town, including a new campus for East Riding College, an 80-bed Premier Inn, six-screen independent Parkway cinema and 130 new homes. Flemingate has also seen a continuing wave of investment by retail and leisure brands.

Wykeland Property Director David Donkin said: “Inflata Nation brings something very special to Flemingate. The Inflata Nation team has created an amazing environment for all ages to enjoy – it’s quite a sight to see!

“Inflata Nation will be a big draw for Flemingate and boost even further the centre’s footfall, which is already up by 18% this year compared to last.

“This is a landmark investment for Flemingate and means we now have just a couple of units available. We’re continuing to field high levels of enquiries and we’re confident that those units will be let soon.”

There are now 30 retail and leisure brands at Flemingate, while the opening of Inflata Nation has created 40 new jobs, bringing the total employed at the centre to more than 900.

Flemingate’s range of high street and independent retail outlets includes Debenhams, H&M, Outfit, River Island, Wilko, Superdrug, The Entertainer, Baytree Interiors, Guest & Phillips and VERB.

The centre’s retail offer is complemented by a high-quality line-up of restaurants and cafés including Estábulo Rodizio Bar & Grill, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Wellington Pizza, Firepit Smokehouse and Sports Bar, Sumo Pan Asian, Deli No.1, Patisserie Valerie, Starbucks and Costa Coffee.

Flemingate also features an Anytime Fitness gym and Beverley’s first Grade A offices in Armstrong House, which is fully let to businesses that enjoy being part of a thriving commercial centre.

Flemingate has extended and enhanced Beverley town centre and has helped make the historic market town a bigger draw than ever before. Since Flemingate opened, big brands such as Jack Wills, Jo Malone, Hotel Chocolat and Mint Velvet have all moved into Beverley.

Mr Donkin added: “It’s very satisfying to reflect on how Flemingate has continually evolved as a retail and leisure destination, become a magnet for investment and provided a platform for the creation of hundreds of jobs.

“Flemingate has also significantly enhanced Beverley’s profile and appeal to major national brands. The town has never seen as much interest and investment as it has over the past three years.”

Inflata Nation occupies 16,000 sq ft of space over two levels at Flemingate. The brand is owned by husband and wife team Matt and Michelle Ball, who have opened three other Inflata Nation centres – in Manchester, Runcorn in Cheshire and Birmingham – within the past year. All of the venues have been a big hit with children and adults alike.