Aspects Leisure Park. Image: EDG Property
Aspects Leisure Park, once a thriving riverside destination for Bedford families, has been sold to new owners, raising hopes of a long-awaited revival for the site after years of decline.
The Barkers Lane site, home to McDonald’s, Fitness First and Club 2000 Bingo, has been acquired by Midlands-based EDG Property, an award-winning developer with projects across the region.
The company has already begun early discussions with Bedford Borough Council about future plans for the park.
New life
While formal redevelopment proposals have yet to be unveiled, EDG has assembled a design team and appointed leading regional property consultants Kirkby Diamond, alongside Birmingham-based FHP Property Consultants, to market the vacant units on the site.
The available spaces range from 3,000 sq ft to 37,000 sq ft, and the company says it wants to attract high-quality tenants and restore the site’s position as a key destination for local leisure and business activity.
Neil Edginton, director of EDG Property, said the company was eager to bring new life to the site and work collaboratively with the council and local stakeholders.
He said: “We are really excited to add Aspects Leisure Park to our ever-growing portfolio, and we are already working closely with Bedford Borough Council, architects and agents to reinstate the site as a vital asset for Bedford.
“Like all towns and cities, Bedford is going through a period of change. We see that as a huge opportunity to inject fresh ideas and investment into a site that has provided many memories for local residents over the years.
“The site is brilliantly located opposite the Athletics Stadium and close to the picturesque Bedford Marina and a highly desirable residential area.
“It has huge potential, and we are looking forward to working with the local authority and other key stakeholders to make our plans deliverable.”
Read: From lost memories to new beginnings, how Bedford can revive Aspects Leisure Park
Derelict to destination?
The sale marks a turning point for the riverside site, which has been largely underused in recent years. Once home to Cineworld, Pizza Hut, The Venue nightclub and several family restaurants, Aspects Leisure Park saw a sharp decline in footfall following the closure of its anchor tenants.
Cineworld, the park’s biggest draw, shut its doors in 2024 as part of a national wave of cinema closures, while other units such as the former Pizza Hut and Fatty Arbuckles have stood empty for years.
Commercial agents Kirkby Diamond were appointed earlier this year to market the vacant units, with early interest reported from operators in sports and leisure, including padel tennis and virtual golf providers.
Read: Cineworld site among units marketed in bid to revive Aspects Leisure Park
At the time, Nathan George, Head of Agency at Kirkby Diamond in Bedford, said the site “has lots of potential to be put back on the map as a destination for the town and region”.
Investment boost
The announcement comes as Bedford continues to attract major investment interest, including Universal Studios’ plans to build its first UK-based theme park in the town.
Bedford Borough mayor, Tom Wootton (Conservative), welcomed the acquisition as further evidence of confidence in the borough’s economic future.
He said: “People have heard me say that the best is yet to come for Bedford Borough, and attracting investment into the town from award-winning developers such as EDG Property is proof that there are really exciting times ahead for us.
“With investors and developers now looking seriously at Bedford Borough, along with the news of Universal Studios, this feels like a game-changing moment for us. We look forward to seeing EDG’s plans for Aspects Leisure Park as they come forward.”