Plans lodged to open indoor paintball venue in vacant space at Walsall shopping centre
A new Japanese indoor paintball venue could be opened up on the empty first floor of a Walsall town centre shopping centre.
LCP Properties limited has put forward proposals which would enable a Airsoft to create a facility on the upper floors of the Park Place Shopping Centre in Park Street.
Half a dozen small independent retailers were told to leave the first floor of the ailing centre back in 2021 under the owner’s plans to revitalise the then-half empty space, but it has stood largely disused ever since.
Major chain stores such as Boots, Max Spielmann and Greggs remain on the ground floor although the area took another hit when Wilkos closed its doors last year.
In their application, LCP said Airsoft would be open 5pm-11pm Monday to Fridays and 9am-7pm weekends, with a maximum of 50 players per event with six members of staff on duty.
Walsall Council planning officers are expected to make a decision on the proposal in April.
Agents D2 Planning said: “It is proposed to change the use of the upper floors to an Airsoft leisure recreational use i.e. indoor paint balling.
“Airsoft originated in Japan in the early 1980s as the Japanese version of paintballing.
“There would be no alterations either internally or externally to the premise as it is an ideal layout for the proposed use
“The site lies within the Walsall Conservation Area. However, no alterations are proposed and so there would be no impact on the character and appearance of the Conservation Area.
“The development would not result in a loss of amenity through noise or disturbance for any neighbours.”
The mall, previously called the Quasar Centre, has been in the town for more than 40 years and once boasted an indoor market alongside all the shops.
Former tenants reacted with shock when they were informed their leases would not be renewed in 2021 but a number of them have found new homes in Walsall town centre.
Revolution Records is now based across the road in Retail Multiples, formerly the two storey BHS store, which houses a number of other traders including the Post Office.
Long-standing traders Park Place Meats and Park Place Shoe Repairs, who had been in the former centre for decades, are now based in the Saddlers Centre along with another Park Place neighbour Clive Mark Schoolwear.
