Gallery

Three new escape rooms could be destined for Ipswich with expansion bid

Owners at Escape Ipswich have put in an application for three new rooms. Left to right, Lauren Daley and Sue Crocker. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Hundreds of people have rescued hostages, survived a laboratory lockdown and recovered the Holy Grail from popular Ipswich escape rooms – and now three new challenges could be thrown into the mix.

Share Email this article to a friend To send a link to this page you must be logged in.

Escape Ipswich director Sue Crocker. Picture: GREGG BROWN Escape Ipswich director Sue Crocker. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Fans of the Escape Ipswich complex, in Orwell Place, will be pleased to hear bosses have submitted an expansion bid to add another set of rooms.

Part of a franchise, Escape Ipswich works closely with Escape Colchester, which offers another three games inspired by Sherlock Holmes, Harry Potter and the horror-themed The Cabin.

Director Sue Crocker, who said she will be thrilled if planners allow her to open another three rooms at the Ipswich complex, added that her team have a range of exciting ideas up their sleeves.

“We are really excited about this application, because it is successful it means we can add another three rooms and offer more to our customers,” she said.

One of the rooms at Escape Ipswich. Picture: GREGG BROWN One of the rooms at Escape Ipswich. Picture: GREGG BROWN

“I’ve put in an application for a change of use from a flat to escape rooms, and we will see what happens but hopefully all goes to plan.

“Our three rooms at the moment are very popular, and we are not able to change the existing ones for another year or so as it requires us to do a complete refurbishment, which we are only able to do every 18 months or so.

“We have had a lot of people visit us and then try the Colchester ones which is great as they get lots of variety.

She added: “But if this application goes through it will allow us to build some new ones, and although it’s a secret we are currently brainstorming ideas.”

Sue Crocker has submitted plans to extend the Escape Ipswich venue to bring three new games. Picture: GREGG BROWN Sue Crocker has submitted plans to extend the Escape Ipswich venue to bring three new games. Picture: GREGG BROWN

The change of use application is currently pending consideration by council planners.

It will go before the borough’s committee in due course, with neighbours being informed of the proposals in the meantime.

Escape rooms are physical adventure games which task players with solving a series of puzzles and riddles.

Using clues, hints, props and strategy teams complete the objectives and crack the code, allowing them to escape a locked room.

Games usually last an hour, and players are credited for how quickly they are able to solve each challenge.

Several complexes have opened up in Suffolk and north Essex in recent years.

Suffolk Food Hall has a puzzle room, Ipswich Escape Rooms opened in Bury Road last year and another set of challenges, called Escape Rooms Suffolk, recently opened in Bury St Edmunds.