Inflata Nation to open in Cardinal Park, Ipswich in October

Proposals were submitted to Ipswich Borough Council to turn the former Unit 17 site, in Grafton Way, into an Inflata Nation play park in March last year.

The Cardinal Park nightclub closed its doors for the final time in April 2022, having been open since 1999. 

The nightclub closed its doors last year (Image: Newsquest)

Documents within the application said: "No leisure attractions comparable to Inflata Nation's inflatable theme parks in Ipswich and the South-East. 

"It is believed that opening a location in Ipswich at the Cardinal Park location would offer high-quality, innovative leisure experiences for the local population, and would significantly contribute to improving the quality of leisure attractions available in Ipswich."

Work is now underway to transform the sites, with hopes the premises will be open by October half-term.

Inflata Nation co-founders, Michelle and Matt Ball, said: “We are delighted to announce a new Inflata Nation site will be arriving at Ipswich’s Cardinal Park later this year.

“Each Inflata Nation centre is slightly different in design and includes our trademark wall-to-wall inflatables with slides, ball pits, obstacle races, gladiator podiums and balance challenges.

“There will also be a dedicated area for under-fours with a slide and ball pit."

Inflata Nation operates eight other sites, including in Birmingham, Manchester and Peterborough.

The new site will create about 35 part-time jobs. 

The owners added: “We will be looking to hire new members of the team and will post details of the application process in due course.

"To keep up to date with this and all other developments, please keep an eye on our website inflatanation.com.”

Inflata Nation opened its first site in 2017. 

As well as a central bouncing zone, the attraction will offer disability-friendly sessions and adult-only sessions.