New plans have been submitted for the former Argos store in York.
The unit, on Hurricane Way, Clifton Moor, looked set to be the new home for the Go Outdoors store moving from Foss Bank.
But it could instead be turned into a trampoline park.
A submission has gone in to City of York Council from OFJ London. It operates a chain of Oxygen Indoor Activity Parks.
It says, of the former Argos at Clifton Moor: “The proposal is for the use of the premises for indoor sport, recreation and fitness, for use as a trampoline park.”
The documents go on: “OFJ London has built a successful business model operating ‘Oxygen’ indoor trampoline and activity parks.
“They opened their first park in June 2015 and within 12 months opened four more parks across England.
“The Oxygen Group currently operate 12 parks across the UK and are looking to expand into new locations. OFJ London aims to increase social interaction, wellbeing and health for all.
“Freejumping isn’t just for fun, it also provides children with the opportunity to meet new friends, learn new skills and be active.
“The company’s aim is to locate their parks in the heart of busy communities and within popular leisure or retail parks so they are as accessible as possible for the local community to use.”
In its submission, OFJ wants a Lawful Development Certificate to say that it has the legal right to develop both the ground floor and an extended mezzanine for use as a trampoline park.
That implies the Go Outdoors move to the old Argos is off.
Last March, the council revealed that the Go Outdoors store needed to move out of Foss Bank as “the landlord has indicated that the premises is no longer available them”.
Shortly afterwards, planners gave permission for Go Outdoors to extend the mezzanine floor at the former Argos to enable “the relocation of the business to Clifton Moor Retail Park and ensure that the same retail floor area can be provided as per the Foss Bank site”.
Go Outdoors launched a closing down sale at Foss Bank in December last year. However, it didn’t shut, is still trading and fully stocked.
Today it is again holding a closing down sale. Posters in the store window say it is “closing down for relocation”. However, the website says “this store is currently closing down for refurbishment”.
We contacted JD Outdoor, owners of Go Outdoors, to ask for an update on the plans for the York store.
A spokesperson told us: “I can confirm Go Outdoors York will be relocating but we are unable to provide any further details at this time.”