Brand new laser tag arena and escape room opening in Witham next month

A new laser tag arena and escape room centre will be opening in Essex next month.

Know Escape, who already have popular escape rooms in Chelmsford, Maldon and Bishop’s Stortford, will be launching their brand new venue in Witham, Essex, next month.

The venue will be opening a company-first ‘laserscape’ arena, offering an exciting new addition alongside the traditional escape room which will be targeted at children.

There will also be a virtual reality and console area to add to the overall gaming experience.

The company expect the laser tag arena to open next month with the rest of the venue planned for around Christmas time.

Know Escape have been negotiating the purchase of the new venue since December 2019.

The previous home of DS Fitness Experience, located in Newland House above the Newlands Shopping Centre in Witham town centre, has been sitting empty for months as Covid-19 put a stop to the buying process.

But according to managing director Matthew Eaves, the company have finally picked up the keys to their new venue.

“Covid came in March and we went into lockdown so everything went on freeze,” he said. “We moved all our businesses online.

“Our escape rooms were closed for four months.”

The company’s Essex locations are now open for business, with Covid-19 safety guidelines making the experience as safe as possible.

Since launching in 2017, Know Escape have welcomed 150,000 customers into their escape rooms and they hope the new venue in Witham will keep visitors coming in from different areas of the county.

The ‘laserscape’ arena will be 3,000 sq ft in size and will allow for teams of up to 20 people once Covid-19 restrictions permit larger gatherings.

Alongside the VR console and gaming area there will also be a party zone for children, and at least one of the escape rooms planned will also be designed for younger visitors.

“We’re getting more younger groups that want to do our escape rooms,” Matthew said. “The first room will be a Punch and Judy theme set at the seaside with a Punch and Judy box.

“The kids will have to help Mr Punch get the sausages because the crocodiles have been at them.

“The room will be designed for ages 4+.

“What Covid taught us was that we’ve got to diversify our businesses. It’s going to put something in the middle of the town that will bring people to Witham.

“Not only will they play a game with us, but they will eat at a local restaurant.”

The ‘laserscape’ arena is expected to open from mid to late November.

Keep up to date with latest Know Escape opening news on their website.

Original Article: https://www.essexlive.news/whats-on/whats-on-news/brand-new-laser-tag-arena-4573957