Showing posts with label Essex. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Essex. Show all posts

Thursday, February 08, 2024

The old Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (April 2023)

A look at the former Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex.


Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (April 2023)

We visited the old Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea in April. It was nice to see some of the signage was still in place, even though there was a lot of scaffolding up around it.

Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (April 2023)

I've since heard that all of the Blockbuster signage has now been removed.

Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (April 2023)

Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (April 2023)

Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (April 2023)

Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (April 2023)


It's always fun to see ghost signs, remnants of old & dead brands and interesting signage while out and about on our travels. Since I found the remains of the Blockbuster Video store in Fallowfield, Manchester in October 2019 I've been intrigued to see the brand still has a lingering presence on the high street. The last Blockbuster Video shop ceased trading in the UK in December 2013!

Our travels have taken us to several former Blockbuster stores:

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

BUNKERS! Crazy Golf now open in Romford, Essex

The new BUNKERS! indoor entertainment venue in Romford, Essex is now open.


BUNKERS! Crazy Golf is now open in Romford, Essex

BUNKERS! at The Brewery shopping centre in Romford, Essex is home to a crazy golf course, shuffleboard, and axe throwing.

Visit the BUNKERS! website for more information about the new venue, as well as the existing BUNKERS! location in Swansea.

It's another new course for us to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Jurassic Mini-Golf at Eastgate Shopping Centre in Basildon

A new Jurassic-themed Mini-Golf course is opening at Eastgate Shopping Centre in Basildon, Essex.


A new Jurassic-themed Mini-Golf course is opening at Eastgate Shopping Centre in Basildon, Essex

The indoor dinosaur-themed Mini-Golf course will be part of the new Jurassica Live venue at the shopping centre.

Visit the Jurassica Live website for more information.

Friday, October 20, 2023

BUNKERS! Crazy Golf opening in Romford

A new BUNKERS! indoor entertainment venue is planned to open in November.


A new BUNKERS! indoor entertainment venue is opening in Romford in November 2023

BUNKERS! at The Brewery shopping centre in Romford, Essex will be home to a crazy golf course, shuffleboard, and axe throwing.

Visit the BUNKERS! website for more information about the new venue, as well as the existing BUNKERS! location in Swansea.

It'll be another new course for us to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Hollywood Bowl and Puttstars Minigolf in Colchester

A new Hollywood Bowl and Puttstars minigolf venue is heading to Colchester, Essex.


Puttstars Minigolf
Puttstars Minigolf

Hollywood Bowl is opening a Puttstars indoor minigolf course and a tenpin bowling centre at the Northern Gateway leisure area in the town.

The location was first announced in January 2020.

There are now Puttstars minigolf centres in Leeds, Harrow, York, Rochdale and Peterborough.

Check out the Puttstars website for more information.

The retailtainment and minigolf boom


Minigolf is a big part of the retailtainment boom, with courses opening as standalone entertainment activities, or as part of large shoppingtainment leisure offerings in shopping centres, malls, high streets and retail parks.

Playing Puttstars


We played Puttstars Minigolf in Rochdale on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour back in June 2021. It was the first course we played in ten months following coronavirus pandemic lockdowns!

Puttstars Minigolf in Rochdale
Puttstars Minigolf in Rochdale

Sunday, August 13, 2023

Boom Battle Bar in Southend

A new Boom Battle Bar venue is opening in Southend, Essex this year.


A new Boom Battle Bar venue with Crazy Golf is opening in Southend, Essex this year

Boom Battle Bar will soon have a location at the Victoria Shopping Centre in Southend on Sea, Essex.

The venue will be home to a crazy golf course, as well as games such as shuffleboard and beer pong.

Boom Battle Bar Southend is due to open in October 2023.

Visit the Boom Battle Bar website for more information.

Sunday, July 30, 2023

BUNKERS! Crazy Golf opening in Romford

A new BUNKERS! Crazy Golf venue is opening in Romford, Essex.


A new BUNKERS! Crazy Golf venue is opening in Romford, Essex

Two 12-hole BUNKERS! Crazy Golf courses are being created at the Brewery in Romford, Essex.

The Romford location will be the second site for the BUNKERS! brand. The first venue opened in Swansea.

BUNKERS! Crazy Golf is from Adventure Leisure Ltd, the team behind Mr Mulligans Adventure Golf.

Visit the BUNKERS! Crazy Golf website for more information.

Friday, July 07, 2023

Mini Golf at No Name Bar and Games in Colchester

A new entertainment venue in Colchester, Essex is adding a mini golf course.


No Name Bar and Games in Colchester is opening a mini golf course

The new mini golf course will be inside No Name Bar and Games in Colchester.

Visit the No Name Bar and Games website for more information.

Thursday, April 13, 2023

Blockbuster Video Express in Westcliff-on-Sea (April 2023)

A look at the former Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex.

We recently visited the old Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea. It was nice to see some of the signage was still in place, even though there was a lot of scaffolding up around it.

Blockbuster Video Express in Westcliff-on-Sea (April 2023)




It's always fun to see ghost signs, remnants of old & dead brands and interesting signage while out and about on our travels. Since I found the remains of the Blockbuster Video store in Fallowfield, Manchester in October 2019 I've been intrigued to see the brand still has a lingering presence on the high street. The last Blockbuster Video shop ceased trading in the UK in December 2013!

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Crazy World of Minigolf Tour update - April 2023

A look at some of our recent minigolf course visits.


We've just returned from a road-trip and visited several miniature golf courses along the way.

Southend Pier Crazy Golf
Southend Pier Crazy Golf

First up was a Mini Golf course at Horton's in Northampton. This indoor venue was spotted by our friend and minigolf rival Marc 'The Roller' Bazeley. Unfortunately we didn't get to play it as it wasn't open during our time in the town.

Mini Golf at Horton's in Northampton
Mini Golf at Horton's in Northampton

Next up was the Urban Street Golf course at Gravity Social at Sol Central in Northampton. We didn't play the course, but we did win the pub quiz at the venue that evening!

Urban Street Golf course at Gravity Social in Northampton
Urban Street Golf at Gravity Social in Northampton

Our next visits were in Southend-on-Sea, where we got to play the Red and Blue courses at Caddies Crazy Golf.

Caddies Crazy Golf in Southend-on-Sea
Caddies Crazy Golf in Southend-on-Sea

Caddies Crazy Golf in Southend-on-Sea
Caddies Crazy Golf in Southend-on-Sea

We also swung by the Arnold Palmer Mini Golf on the esplanade in Southend-on-Sea.

Arnold Palmer Mini Golf in Southend-on-Sea
Arnold Palmer Mini Golf in Southend-on-Sea

As well as the Adventure Golf course at Adventure Island.

Adventure Golf at Adventure Island in Southend-on-Sea
Adventure Golf at Adventure Island in Southend-on-Sea

We also took a wander along Southend Pier to visit the new Crazy Golf course at the end of it.

Southend Pier Crazy Golf
Southend Pier Crazy Golf

The next part of our trip saw us revisit our most visited courses - the Adventure Golf course on Sea Road in Felixstowe.

Adventure Golf course on Sea Road in Felixstowe
Adventure Golf course on Sea Road in Felixstowe

And Magical Golf at Mannings Amusements in Felixstowe.

Magical Golf at Mannings Amusements in Felixstowe
Magical Golf at Mannings Amusements in Felixstowe

We've now been to 1,022 miniature golf courses on our travels since September 2006.

Monday, April 10, 2023

Boom Battle Bar in Colchester

There are plans for a new Boom Battle Bar venue to open in the old Debenhams in Colchester, Essex.


There are plans for a new Boom Battle Bar venue to open in the old Debenhams in Colchester, Essex

The new Boom Battle Bar in Colchester would be home to a minigolf course.

Visit the Boom Battle Bar website for more information.

Thursday, August 18, 2022

New Adventure Golf course at Barleylands in Billericay

Noah's Park Adventure Golf course now open at Barleylands farm park in Billericay, Essex.


A new 18-hole adventure golf course is now open at Barleylands farm park in Billericay, Essex

A new 18-hole adventure golf course is now open at Barleylands farm park in Billericay, Essex.

For more information visit the Barleylands Farm Park & Village website.


It's another course for us to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Sunday, May 29, 2022

Dino Encounters Crazy Golf in Great Wakering, Essex

A new Crazy Golf course has opened at Cupids Country Club in Great Wakering, Essex.


A new Crazy Golf course has opened at Cupids Country Club in Great Wakering, Essex

Many thanks to my cousin Jayne for letting me know about a new minigolf course that has opened near her.

Dino Encounters Crazy Golf is now open at Cupids Country Club in Great Wakering, Essex.

Check out the Dino Encounters Crazy Golf Facebook Page for more information.


It's another new place for us to play the game on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Thursday, April 07, 2022

Crazy Golf at Naze Marine Holiday Park

New Crazy Golf course at Naze Marine Holiday Park in Walton-on-the-Naze.


A new Crazy Golf course is being created at Parkdean's Naze Marine Holiday Park in Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex

A new Crazy Golf course is being created at Parkdean's Naze Marine Holiday Park in Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex.

Visit the Naze Marine Holiday Park website for more information.


It's always nice to hear of holiday parks adding minigolf - there's nothing quite like a game of minigolf while on holiday.

Sunday, February 13, 2022

Hackers Crazy Golf opening in Billericay, Essex

The new crazy golf course and escape room venue in Billericay, Essex is opening soon.


A new crazy golf course and escape room is opening in Billericay, Essex

Hackers Crazy Golf will be an indoor venue located in the former Argos store in the town centre.

As well as having a 16-hole crazy golf course the location will be home to a number of escape room experiences.

The venue is planned to open in late February 2022.

Visit the Hackers website for more information.


Retailtainment and minigolf

Wednesday, October 13, 2021

Skull Point Adventure Golf on Clacton Pier

A look at the Skull Point Adventure Golf course in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.


Skull Point Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

We visited Clacton Pier during our East Anglian Road-Trip in August and while there checked out the Skull Point Adventure Golf course at the No.1 North Sea address.

Skull Point Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex
The 18-hole course is spread out over two levels, with some holes indoors and others outside

Skull Point Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex
The lucky 19th hole

Skull Point Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

Check out the Clacton Pier website for more information.

Skull Point Adventure Golf on Clacton Pier
A Covid-19 sign

Skull Point Adventure Golf was the 972nd course visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Friday, October 08, 2021

Pavilion Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea

A revisit to the Pavilion Adventure Golf course in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.


Pavilion Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea

We took a look at the Pavilion Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea during our visit to the town on our East Anglian Road-Trip.

Pavilion Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea

We first played the course in May 2009 when it was a 10-hole layout. It was the 94th course on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. We've now been to 973 courses since September 2006.

Pavilion Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea
These holes haven't changed much since we first visited


Pavilion Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea
One of the original holes

On our visit in August the name of the course had changed from Augusta Adventure Golf to Pavilion Adventure Golf and it was a 14-hole course.

Pavilion Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea
This is part of the new additions

Pavilion Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea

Pavilion Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea

Visit the Clacton Pavilion website for more information.

Blockbuster Video Express in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

A look at the ghost signs on the former Blockbuster Video Express store in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.


QuikDrop box at the former Blockbuster Video Express store in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

We found some brilliant ghost signs and a QuikDrop box at the former Blockbuster Video Express store in Clacton-on-Sea during our trip to the seaside town in August.

The former Blockbuster Video Express store in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

We had a good idea that the QuikDrop video return box would still be visible on the front of what is now a Tendring Community Clothing charity shop. Partly from our research in advance, and partly because the day before the charity's spokesperson had been interviewed on BBC Look East news outside of the shop and you could clearly see the QuikDrop box there!

The former Blockbuster Video Express store in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

What we hadn't expected was that the side and front of the shop would still have ghost signs on them! It's wonderful to see these pieces of retail history on display.

The former Blockbuster Video Express store in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

The former Blockbuster Video Express store in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

The former Blockbuster Video Express store in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

The former Blockbuster Video Express store in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

The former Blockbuster Video Express store in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

The inside of the charity shop itself has had very few changes made to it since it was a Blockbuster, with the colour scheme, walls and till desk all looking very Blockbustery!

Inside the former Blockbuster Video Express store in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex



Blockbuster Video

Our interest in old Blockbuster Video stores was piqued when I found one close by in Fallowfield, Manchester in October 2019.

Since then we've found quite a few more signs of the brand on the high streets and retail parks of the UK.

Blockbuster ceased operations in the UK in December 2013. At the start of the year there were 528 Blockbuster locations in the UK. The number dwindled until October when only 264 shops remained. The remaining stores closed on the 16th December that year.

At its peak in 2004 there were more than 9,000 Blockbuster stores around the world. There is now just one remaining store open. It's in Bend, Oregon, USA.

Blockbuster Video stores we've visited

Check out the posts about other former Blockbuster Video stores we've been to in:

Thursday, October 07, 2021

Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea

A visit to the Adventure Golf course at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea.


Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea

We swung by the Adventure Golf course at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea during our East Anglian Road-Trip.

Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea

The course opened in May 2016 and replaced the Carpeted Miniature Golf course that had been on the same spot for many many years. We played that layout in May 2009 when it became the 93rd we visited on our travels and revisited in May 2011 and June 2015.

Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea

Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea

Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea

The Adventure Golf course at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea became the 973rd visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea

We're looking forward to a return visit to Clacton and a game there in the future.

Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea

Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea

Check out the Greensward Cafe and Adventure Golf website for more information.

Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea

Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea
Rules and regulations at the course

Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea

Tuesday, July 06, 2021

New Crazy Golf course planned for Canvey Island

A new dinosaur-themed Crazy Golf course is opening on Canvey Island, Essex.


A new dinosaur-themed Crazy Golf course is planned to open at Leisure Island on Canvey Island in Essex

An 18-hole dinosaur-themed Crazy Golf course is being created at Leisure Island on Canvey Island in Essex.

Visit the Leisure Island website for more information.


It'll be another new course for us to play on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour on a revisit to Canvey Island.