A town centre could be set for a leisure boost after proposals were put in for a bowling alley.

The boss of The Light Cinema that is opening a branch in Sittingbourne, as part of the town's multi-million pound regeneration, has submitted plans to Swale council to convert two units underneath the new cinema from restaurant space into a bowling alley.

The proposals, put forward by founder and deputy chairman Keith Pullinger, are for a nine-lane bowling alley, a small servery, gaming area and seating.

It would take over units four and five of the new Bourne Place Leisure Quarter, opposite the train station.

The planning documents said: "As there is a general oversupply of restaurant space in the country and in Kent, the retail, food and beverage outlets are proving very difficult to let.

"To help alleviate this, The Light Cinema is looking to join the existing vacant next door units to their cinema entrance and provide an additional bowling entertainment function, with a coffee area on the ground floor.

"Consequently, The Light Cinema is looking to change the present vacant retail use of units four and five to the same cinema use as their existing unit.

"Subject to planning permission being granted, this will be of greater benefit to the town centre with regards to attracting footfall, the retention of other users, improving the image of the town and strengthening the late-night economy which will lead to additional benefits.

"The proposal is to introduce enhanced entertainment to the ground floor, for cinema customers, to make the whole cinema offer more attractive as an entertainment destination.

"To this end, nine reduced-length fun bowling lanes are envisaged to occupy the neighbouring units four and five. A small servery and sitting area is planned overlooking the square, with some entertainment consoles planned behind some further seating."

According to the plans, the cinema shell was completed in June and is now being fitted out to accommodate eight screens and a foyer area.

It is due to be completed in October 2020.

Access to the proposed bowling alley would be via the entrance lobby of the cinema.

The nine bowling lanes would cater for up to 55 people at one time and there would be enough seating for another 60 people.

If approved, the bowling alley would join the 63-bed Travelodge hotel, cinema and restaurants at Bourne Place, including Nando's and Pizza Express, which were originally planned to occupy units four and five.

Cllr Roger Truelove, leader of the council, welcomed the initiative.

He said: "A bowling alley is something that many people have asked for over the years, and the more we can diversify the leisure offer at Bourne Place the better.

"A bowling alley is something that many people have asked for over the years, and the more we can diversify the leisure offer at Bourne Place the better."

“It will help give people more reasons to visit the town centre more often and for longer periods."

He added: "The council, and especially the Cabinet member for economy Monique Bonney, has been in discussion with The Light about a bowling alley since last autumn.

"We thought it was a great idea and would add variety to the leisure offer at Bourne Place. However, we do not want to lose our association with Nando’s and Pizza Express, who are still with us and will take up alternative positions in the leisure area.”

Cllr Bonney said: “This is really exciting news for Sittingbourne and, if approved, should be a major attraction for the borough.

“We are working very hard with the tenants to deliver a more diverse offer for local people and visitors that will be less dependent on restaurants than the original scheme.

“If we want our town centres to thrive, we need a broader offer to attract more visitors to support our local businesses and jobs.”

To view the plans, search for the reference 20/503138/FULL here.

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