Escape room bosses tee up adventure golf plans
Venue in former nightclub granted licence to serve alcohol
An escape room is set to expand its offering by launching an adventure golf course and bar in a former nightclub.
Prison Island in Maidstone High Street has 23 rooms with tasks and puzzles for players to complete, inspired by TV game shows such as The Crystal Maze and Fort Boyard.
Brothers Mike and Chris Knell launched the business in 2018 to replace Zee Bar, which had closed months beforehand having been open for just a year. The entrepreneurs are looking to eventually widen the appeal of the leisure venue to include an adventure golf course with a drinks area.
The duo sought a licence to sell alcohol within the bar, where players could go having completed their game. Those without game bookings would also be able to walk in and use the facility.
But Mike Knell explained to councillors, during a virtual meeting of Maidstone Borough
Council’s licensing committee on Tuesday, that visitors would not be allowed to consume alcohol while playing the escape room, although that rule may be lifted for those having a round of adventure golf.
The council had received an objection to the licence, based on the impact it could potentially
have on anti-social behaviour and noise pollution.
However, Mr Knell said these issues had been raised by a former employee who had been let go, and insisted noise would not be an issue as the facility is within the walls of a former nightclub and is soundproofed. Kent Police agreed to the
licensing conditions, backed by the council’s committee, meaning alcohol can now be sold between 11am and 11pm, Monday to Sunday.
The County Town is home to two other escape rooms - Escape Hub in the Royal Star Arcade and The Extraction Room in Lower Stone Street.