More than 20 jobs will be created in Ipswich after a proposal for a boutique bowling and adult gaming centre near the Waterfront was given the green light by borough planners.

Work has now started on the venue, which will be called Bears Boutique Bowling, and the team behind the project hope that construction will be completed by November.

Plans for the building were sent in to borough planners by Charlie Manning, owner of Manning’s Amusements in Felixstowe, who hopes it will prove to be a big boost to the town.

He said: “It is just a completely new addition to nightlife and entertainment in the town centre. Hopefully it will keep people in the town for longer who would normally choose to go to other towns and hopefully it will attract people to Ipswich as well.

“We will have 20 staff in total which includes staff for the kitchen, bar, restaurant and management – they will be part time and full time. It might be up to 25 including cleaners.”

The centre will be split into two floors and will include five bowling lanes, gaming machines, a cocktail bar, beer bar and an American-style burger diner.

As well as offering people a place to enjoy games and food, there will also be rooms where people will be able to hold different functions, with live entertainment also due to take place.

Mr Manning added: “The first floor is the private rooms for functions and the ground floor is for the main use of a restaurant and bowling. It won’t be fine dining, but it will be good quality and with a couple of fun challenges as well.”

It is also hoped that students at UCS will be able to get involved at the new centre, particularly in the catering side.