Prison Island locks in Leeds opening

A global interactive gaming concept is heading to Leeds for its first North of England venue, creating 18 jobs and adding to the city’s growing leisure offer.

Prison Island will open an 11,000sq ft attraction across two floors of the Merrion Centre this winter, with a launch planned in time for Christmas.

The venue will centre around an immersive team challenge where groups of up to five tackle a series of themed ‘cells’ testing physical ability, teamwork, skill and problem-solving.

Unlike a traditional escape room, visitors can choose between different challenges rather than following a single route, allowing for a different experience on repeat visits.

Interactive darts and golf will also form part of the competitive entertainment offer.

The Leeds opening will become Prison Island’s fourth UK location, following Belfast, Maidstone and Camden, and joins a global network of more than 110 venues.

It will be operated by the team behind the Belfast attraction, which launched seven years ago, as part of wider plans to expand the concept across the UK and Ireland.

Bosses say the venue will cater for families and groups of friends alongside celebrations, corporate events and team-building activities.

Ryan Lyttle, director of Prison Island Leeds, said: “The Merrion Centre is a superb location and felt like a natural fit for Prison Island. 

“It’s a busy, well-established leisure destination in the heart of Leeds, with excellent transport links and strong footfall from residents, students, workers and visitors to the city.

“Being surrounded by other leisure, hospitality and entertainment operators also makes it an ideal location for a competitive socialising concept like ours.

“We’re most looking forward to finally bringing the Prison Island experience to Leeds.

“We’ve seen how well the concept works in Belfast, particularly because it appeals to such a broad audience and every visit can be completely different.

“With Prison Island alongside a range of additional activities, we’re excited to create a venue where people can come together, compete, have fun and discover something they haven’t experienced before.”

Its arrival will also bolster the Merrion Centre and surrounding Arena Quarter’s leisure and entertainment offering.

Further details of launch activities are expected to be announced ahead of the opening later this year.

Charles Newman, asset management director at Town Centre Securities PLC, owners of the Merrion Centre, added: “We’re delighted to be welcoming Prison Island to the Merrion Centre. 

“Its decision to launch its first venue in the North of England here in Leeds is a fantastic endorsement of the Merrion Centre as a destination for leisure and entertainment.

“The scale of the new venue, combined with the variety and interactive nature of the experiences on offer, will bring something genuinely different to our visitors.

“It’s another exciting addition to the Centre and one we’re confident will prove popular with people living, working, studying and visiting the city.”

Want your business, product or service to be seen regionally and nationally? Bdaily helps you get your story in front of the right audience, every day. Find out how Bdaily can help →

Join more than 55,000 subscribers by signing up to our daily bulletin each morning here.