THE FORMER Pink Parrot nightclub building is set to be turned into a gaming and karaoke complex in Coventry city centre.
Plans would see the former club site in Tower Street transformed into a major new attraction called Players Entertainment, set to open in September.
It would be the biggest venue of its type in the UK and will be a destination for local people, students and also visitors from outside the city – with more planned around the country.
City-based entrepreneur Jeffy Li – the businessman behind APPS LIVING which operates more than 1,000 student apartments in the city – says he is investing £1.3million to create the complex.
It could create more than 20 full-time and up to 30 part-time jobs in the city, he claims.
Developers completed the property lease deal through Coventry-based property agents Holt Commercial.
In the plans, the ground floor will be dedicated to e-gaming including private stations as well as a stage for multi-player tournaments, while the first and second floors will offer karaoke – or KTV – in 25 private rooms, the biggest of which will cater for up to 40 people.
Players Entertainment will also serve light snacks and finger food as well as serving drinks.
It will be open to all ages from noon until 7pm, when it would be ideal for private events and children’s parties, but after that will operate a strictly over-18s until 2:30am on weekdays and 4:30am at the weekends.
Mr Li said: “We are very proud to be bringing this new form of entertainment to Coventry and we want it to be a place that local people and local students can enjoy as well as attracting people into the city.
“It’s based on entertainment venues that are very popular in Asia and are soon to catch on in the UK.
“We are investing heavily in the fit out, in the equipment and a karaoke system that will offer a choice of over one million songs, as well as the fastest internet speeds available.
“It is a very exciting time for us and we are looking forward to moving forward very quickly with this project.”
It takes Mr Li’s investments in Coventry to just under £20million since he graduated from Coventry University in 2001.
