£10m Gravity MAX leisure venue opens at Liverpool ONE offering go-karting, augmented reality bowling, tech golf, a pool hall and four bars and a food hall. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool ONE’s former Debenhams store will come back to life in the next few days with two new tenants opening their doors.
Gravity MAX, the £10m leisure venue which occupies 100,000 sq ft of the building has already welcomed its first customers. And on Tuesday, August 14, Marks & Spencer will begin trading from 70,000 sq ft of space.
Providing 12 immersive and experiential activities across two floors, Gravity MAX represents leisure operator Gravity’s biggest investment to date. Liverpool property consultancy Momentum Group has overseen the fit-out of the venue.
It will have a capacity of 2,500 people and is expected to attract 700,000 visitors a year. It comprises four bars and a food hall, a multi-level e-karting track, augmented reality (AR) bowling, 18-hole Tech Street Golf, Hologate VR, immersive Gamebox, esports arena, batting cages and Liverpool’s largest pool hall.
A schedule of live bands and singers provides visitors weekly entertainment, accompanied by DJ sets, themed nights and shows.
A variety of cuisines are on offer in the food hall, including burgers by Wendy’s, 800 Degrees Pizza, pasta by Coco di Mama, award-winning Greek gyros by The Athenian, and the ultimate in dessert dining courtesy of Creams.
Its four bars include two Gravity Social bars, Eden cocktail bar, and The Terrace, with automated, self-service beer taps and retractable roof. The Craic also provides a second, “more intimate” roof area.
Michael Harrison, co-founder and chief growth officer at Gravity, said: “The opening of the new Gravity MAX flagship at Liverpool ONE is an extremely exciting time for the brand, as it represents a landmark moment in our journey.
“This has been our biggest investment to date and cements Gravity’s position as market leaders and trendsetters within the leisure and entertainment sector.”
Designed by Townscape Architects, Gravity MAX’s interior was inspired by Japan and uses the latest technology from the UK, Europe and the US.
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Chris Jukes, director of Liverpool ONE, Grosvenor. Described Gravity MAX as a “market changer”. He added: “The scale, ambition and significance of what Gravity, together with Grosvenor and Liverpool ONE, wanted to create has finally come to fruition.
“It will be a destination driver, one which reaffirms Liverpool ONE’s position as the UK’s leading retail and entertainment destination.”
Stärka and Metis acted for Liverpool ONE. Savills acted for Gravity.