Manchester's Kickair trampoline park: redevelopment threatens activity centre's future

Kickair, a huge ‘indoor freestyle park’ on the corner of Bury New Road and Trinity Way, boasts trampolines, an indoor football ‘robokeeper’, football darts, and soft play area for families.

First opening in 2017, the park has applied numerous times for continued use of the warehouse it occupies as a leisure facility. A new application to Manchester council’s planning department has confirmed it’s hoping to stay for three more years.

Despite wanting to make a permanent home in the area, an agent for Kickair believes it can only remain for three years because the area is covered by a masterplan to redevelop the Strangeways area, so the land will be regenerated in the coming years.

An agent for Kickair told the Local Democracy Reporting Service they hoped to get permanent permission, but believe the council is only willing to allow temporary stays to give the authority flexibility to redevelop the neighbourhood.

Bu it’s understood the town hall’s stance is not a surprise, as its existing usage was limited by the same Strangeways development blueprint.

“The applicant’s business is thriving and provides a highly regarded leisure service to local residents and visitors,” added a cover letter for the application.

“It sustains a number of jobs and comprises sustainable economic development that promotes consumer choice.

“On this basis, the applicant wishes to renew the consent for another three years in order for him to continue the business in a secure setting.”

While the Strangeways and Cambridge strategic regeneration framework was unveiled jointly by Manchester and Salford councils this week, Kickair’s agent said ‘any development delivery will be on the individual landowners to bring forward detailed schemes’, and building work is not expected imminently.

Manchester City Council declined to comment.