Legoland Discovery Centre work set to begin soon

CHILDREN and the young-at-heart can flex their imagination and look forward to a new Legoland Discovery Centre in the Midlands.

Fans of the popular Lego brick will have to wait though, the construction of Legoland Discovery Centre will begin late 2017 within the Barclaycard Arena.

The unique indoor attraction is set to be a premier destination for families with small children, and adults who never grow up, when it opens next year.

Legoland consists of a range of Lego play areas, interactive rides, master classes from the Lego master model builder, party rooms for special celebrations, a 4D cinema and the popular attraction found in every Legoland Discovery Centre - Miniland.

John Jakobsen, chief new openings officer for Merlin Entertainments plc said: “The Legoland Discovery Centre concept has been a huge success across the globe.

“Uniquely, and most importantly it was always conceived and designed from a child’s perspective so it is a very special place, offering an opportunity for adults and younger children to spend fun, quality time together.”

“The Barclaycard Arena is an excit- ing destination with a strong tourist proposition, and in an area where we have first-hand experience through operating the Sealife Centre in neighbouring Brindley Place.

“Most importantly when the new Birmingham attraction opens in 2018 it will underline our mission to bring joy to families across the world through educational Lego play.”

This attraction will be only the second Legoland Discovery Centre to open in the UK, the other being in Manchester, and the 20th Discovery Centre globally.

These two indoor attractions togeth- er with the very popular Legoland Windsor Resort reflect the insatiable appetite for everything Lego in the UK.

Paul Thandi, NEC group chief executive, said: “Merlin’s Legoland Discovery Centre will be an important addition to the leisure and entertainment facilities already provided by the Barclaycard Arena and will offer a number of valuable benefits including job creation and by contributing to the overall tourism and leisure offer in the region.

“It will also complement the venue’s existing, exciting events programme, giving our customers even more reasons to visit.”