A popular soft play area has announced plans to double in size as it moves to occupy the unit next door.

Elev8 in Broadstairs will grow its current location at the town’s retail park by acquiring the neighbouring building formerly used as a Laura Ashley shopfront.

The centre features a bounce park, a ball pit and various interactive games and soft place activities.

Elev8’s co-founder Hadley Colton says the expansion will mean even more features can be added, and create jobs.

Ms Colton says:“We are excited to announce the acquisition of the building next door which means we are expanding many of our existing facilities as well as adding loads of new features.

“The expansion will see many new activities which can’t be found at any other hybrid bounce park here in Kent.

“We provide affordable and entertaining facilities for all age groups, and we are confident that visitors will love our new additions to the site.”

The centre will have to close for a few days while construction works are carried out, but the new site should be ready this March.

Elev8 first opened in October 2022 but has undergone several expansions since.

In April 2023 the facility added a a three-tier soft play area, mini bounce park and disability-friendly sensory room. Some eight months later a ninja course and interactive games area were also added.

Ms Colton continues: “This is another major investment into our site here in Broadstairs and it will provide a fantastic, all year-round fitness and fun resource for the local community and the many groups which travel to use our facilities.”

After the expansion, the site will take up 28,000 sqft of space.