\n Last month, the Wisbech Standard and Cambs Times reported on how Cambridgeshire County Council had applied for planning permission for a change of use for the former Frankie and Benny’s premises at Unit 3, located next to The Light Cinema in Wisbech.\n<\/p>\n
\n The council owns the building and said it was in talks with a company to provide an indoor mini-golf facility. It looks like the authority is hoping the new facility will explode onto the leisure scene in Wisbech, with the suggestion it will be named Volcano Valley Crazy-golf and Darts Bar.\n<\/p>\n
\n A planning statement submitted alongside the application drawn up by Carter Jonas explains that while it is envisaged the restaurant will be used for indoor golf, the county council is seeking a change of use to a category that will give it more flexibility “to optimise potential re-use of the unit in the future”.\n<\/p>\n
\n A line drawing on the window of Unit 3 next door to The Light Cinema in Wisbech suggests the new mini-golf facility looking to occupy the premises will be called Volcano Valley. (Image: Newsquest staff)\n<\/p>\n
\n Unit 3 has been vacant since the closure of Frankie and Benny’s in 2023 and has been marketed as a restaurant without success.\n<\/p>\n
\n The statement said: “It has been actively marketed during this period, but there has been no committed interest to date.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Commercial agents report that the low levels of demand are attributable to poor footfall and the lack of customer demand during lunch hours and weekdays.”\n<\/p>\n
\n The statement adds that the type of change of use being sought will allow the premises to revert to an eatery should there be a demand in the future.\n<\/p>\n