The 21st February marked the grand opening of The Great Big Escape - the first ever escape room to launch in the Dorchester area.

The immersive family-friendly attraction has seen a wealth of enthusiasm from local residents, with a steady flow of bookings coming in from eager visitors. The Great Big Escape will be located next to Phase Eight in the centre of Brewery Square.

Charlotte Spracklen, Centre Manager at Brewery Square, said: “Brewery Square prides itself on offering a huge variety of shopping, leisure and entertainment experiences, so we’re proud to further enhance our provision with the addition of The Great Big Escape. New and unique businesses like The Great Big Escape are what keep our town flourishing. We hope everyone will enjoy our new addition as much as we already do.”

The Great Big Escape is suitable for ages 13 and up with two room themes to choose from, which will change periodically. Owners Bradley and Amie Butterworth are already working on future concepts, which will be introduced later this year.

The first room, Hop House Homicide, pays homage to Brewery Square’s historic location. The fictional story follows Scott Linden, who was found murdered in his apartment in the Hop House in the early hours of the morning. Guests are immersed in a murder mystery, tasked with solving his murder.

The Spell of Hattie Moonfall sees guests turn into apprentice witches and warlocks in the second room. Arch nemesis, Hattie Moonfall, has placed a cruel spell on the group, wiping everyone’s memory. Guests are tasked with breaking the spell to escape the room.

Amie Butterworth, Founder of The Great Big Escape, said: “This project has been a labour of love and we are delighted so far by the reaction from the people of Dorchester. There was a lot of speculation as to what we were going to be prior to opening, so we’re very pleased that everyone is happy with the outcome. We can’t wait to open and bring some immersive fun that friends and family can enjoy together.”

For more information about The Great Big Escape, visit: www.thegreatbigescape.com

For more information about Brewery Square, visit: www.brewerysquare.com