FOLLOWING the opening of the new Hollywood Bowl in Colchester, we were given a chance to attend a special ribbon-cutting event... and also try out the venue's VIP section.

This being the first time I had been to Hollywood Bowl, I was excited to see what was in store.

It was a thoroughly fun night jam-packed with exciting entertainment, perfect for families and friends.

The new entertainment venue opened at Colchester’s Northern Gateway last month.

Following this, an "official" opening date was set, and I was invited among a number of celebrities to the special evening.

Cutting - Jake Quickenden and Danielle Harold did the honours of cutting the ribbonCutting - Jake Quickenden and Danielle Harold did the honours of cutting the ribbon (Image: Hollywood Bowl)

The event saw guests able to partake in an hour's worth of bowling and an opportunity to take on the two mini golf courses upstairs.

The site offers so much more than just your average bowling alley, with the mini golf courses upstairs and a vast arcade area, it gives you a sense of what an American bowling alley would feel like.

Being at an event with some well-known people from the area, it felt like the community had come together for somewhere that is certainly adding to the economic state of the city.

The bowling alleys give you clear scoring statistics and shiny new bowling balls.

VIP - Hollywood Bowl gave us the chance to experience everything they offerVIP - Hollywood Bowl gave us the chance to experience everything they offer (Image: Credited)

Alongside us were some fellow attendees who occupied the VIP lanes.

The VIP experience gives you special bowling balls with sports designs and also a covered area which adds privacy and comfy seating.

Overall the experience was great and with a choice of two mini golf courses - easy and hard, it caters for all ages and a night filled with fun.

Quick service and some complimentary food went nicely alongside the one-off VIP night.

U's - Colchester United players and manager came along to join in with the celebrationsU's - Colchester United players and manager came along to join in with the celebrations (Image: Hollywood Bowl)

Also among those in attendance were Colchester United manager Danny Cowley and fellow U's players, who said the night was a good chance for the players to spend time together.

Meanwhile, the ribbon cutting was taken on by singer and former X Factor contestant Jake Quickenden and ex-Eastenders star Danielle Harold.

Choose - There are two courses, one easy and one difficultChoose - There are two courses, one easy and one difficult (Image: Credited)

Cutting - The ribbon cutting marked the official opening of the siteCutting - The ribbon cutting marked the official opening of the site (Image: Credited)

A chance to try out all of the activities on offer gave a real insight to the capabilities of the venue.

Alongside the 26 state of the art bowling lanes and two mini golf courses, the venue also offers a healthy arcade area, pool tables and a modern bar and seating area.

There is also lots of food on offer, as well as signature cocktails, at the American-style bar and diner.

The VIP night showcased everything the site has to offer and it is somewhere I will definitely be returning.