Planning permission for Ninja Warrior-themed venue

Plans to redevelop a former Toys R Us store in Sheffield as a venue based on ITV show Ninja Warrior have been given the green light.Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH), on behalf of FI Real Estate Management, submitted an application to Sheffield City Council earlier this year for a unit a Meadowhall Retail Park.The proposal covers the change of use of the unit from retail to an indoor adventure park.A Ninja Warrior UK park is set to open in the 22,100 sq ft unit. The venue based on the show and will feature different graded activities, including a climbing wall, scramble net, giant airbags and foam pits, rolling logs and swings. An ancillary cafe would also be created.It has been estimated that about 100,000 people would visit the venue per year. About 25 full- and part-time jobs would be created.The proposed opening hours are 11am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 10am to 9pm Saturday and Sunday.Sheffield City Council has now granted planning permission, subject to conditions, under delegated powers.A planning officer’s report accompanying the decision said there were “no significant highway, design or amenity implications arising from the proposed development” and as such its was considered to be acceptable.A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) was issued in 2018 allowing the subdivision of the former Toys R Us unit. Smyth Toys subsequently opened a store in the subdivided unit in autumn 2019.To date ITV and Ninja Warrior UK have opened adventure parks in Gloucester, Stoke-on-Trent, Wigan and Cardiff.ITV is a funding partner and the rights licensor to Ninja Leisure UK Management Ltd, which provides management team experience and manufacturing capability.FI Real Estate Management was appointed in April 2018 to provide asset, property, and facilities management services to 31 former Toys R Us stores, and the main distribution centre.