Plans to turn play centre into snooker and pool club

A FORMER children’s indoor play centre in Ilkeston could become a pool and snooker club.

Crazy Crocodiles, in Abbey Street, closed suddenly in May and now its former premises look set for a new lease of life.

An application by a Mrs Lesley Davis has been submitted to Erewash Borough Council to turn the former play centre into a snooker, pool and darts club.

If approved in the next few months, the venue would have six pool tables, five snooker tables and three dartboards.

It is proposed that the club would open at 12pm and close at 11pm from Monday to Friday and on Sundays and bank holidays. On Saturdays it would be open from 12pm until midnight.

The planning application says that the venue would serve alcohol, but the hours it hopes to serve it have not been specified.

This would most likely be contained in another application to the borough council for a premises licence.

Through that process, the council, police and members of the public can raise concerns and put measures in place to avoid disruption.

Plans with the application show that the venue would have a bar, kitchen and lounge area, along with three games machines.

It says that three jobs would be created through the proposal – with one full-time job and two part-time roles.

Crazy Crocodiles had been wellknown in the area for its ball pits, slides and climbing frames.

However, a High Court enforcement officer notice was put up outside the building on May 30.

It said officers had “re-entered” the building and “any attempt by you or your agents to enter the demised premises will result in criminal/civil proceedings being taken against you.”

At the time, the business had confirmed online that it would be closed “until further notice” and that deposits for birthday parties would be refunded.