Morecambe's Johnny's Fun Factory to become bar and takeaway under new proposals

The plans have been submitted by Solomon Reader, of JET Ltd, which also owns and operates the adjoining Pleasureland Arcade and Soul Bowl bowling venue, as well as the nearby Jump Rush Trampoline Park.

The application to Lancaster City Council states that Johnny's Fun Factory, in Marine Road West, is a "failing and unsustainable business".

The site will be cleaned up and serviced following the demolition a small retail unit, which was a condition of a previous planning application.

The application says: "The move to use the building as a drinking establishment initially over a limited period is to attempt to claw back lost revenue from the current COVID19 pandemic, to offer outdoor facilities in light of social distancing measures and to steadily increase takings to enable future development including the Hitchins Building."

A heritage statement in the planning application states that the venue's courtyard would be used as a flexible space offering food and drink but the food may be from ‘pop up’ style traders in vintage vans, for example serving street food or coffees where there would be no requirement for any permanent extraction.

It adds: "In these testing times, this courtyard offers my client the opportunity to adapt to current restrictions and trends whilst always fundamentally offering food and refreshments.

"The food could also be available from the adjoining Vista Italian Restaurant.

"Separate service areas and toilet facilities will be provided within the Johnny’s building."

The proposed trading hours are to be between 11am to 11pm Monday to Thursday, 11am to 1am Friday, Saturday and Sundays prior to Bank Holiday Mondays, and 12pm – 10.30pm on Sundays.