As of this month, freerunning has gained recognition from all five sports councils and now has an appointed national governing body, ParkourUK, meaning they will be able to apply for government grants and National Lottery Funding. The official confirmation suggests parkour could potentially become an Olympic and Paralympic sport in future.
Soft play finance case study
Jungle Versatile Indoor Play (Jungle V.I.P) is an established soft play centre, based in Hounslow, Middlesex. Since opening its doors in 2014, the play centre has accommodated a growing range of activities to cater for its varied audience. We catch up with Director, Evana, to discuss the family business, alternative finance options and the latest addition to the site- Jungle Laser!
Established in 1999, the Kids Play group has expanded quite rapidly. Kids Play operates 21 sites in the UK, the latest of which is a Day Nursery and Out of School Club setting in Bury St. Edmunds. Providing care for six week to ten year old children, Kids Play Childcare’s ethos is to create stimulating environments and activities to encourage children’s educational development as well as exciting Activity Day Camps during school holidays.
After 10 years of market research and gruelling financial investment, husband-and-wife team, Michael and Debbie Fitzpatrick, created one of Europe’s largest family entertainment centres. With soft play and trampoline under one roof, Liversedge’s Adrenaline International covers an incredible 40,000 sq. foot. We find five minutes to catch up with Michael to see how the new-start venture is going…
James Sinclair’s dreams were kindled when he was just 15, after observing a less-than-inspiring children’s entertainer at his younger sister’s birthday party, and knowing that he, the ‘kid who liked to show off’, could easily better the performance. His desire to perform was ignited, and Jimbo the Partyman was born.
His adventures so far have resulted in a multi-million-pound turnover and over a million happy guests at his various sites each year – a figure that is constantly growing. Alongside the aforementioned achievements, he is a highly-coveted speaker, author of life story, ‘The Millionaire Clown’ and founder of Partyman’s Little Stars; a charity that dedicates 100% of its funds to creating magical memories for children that have had a really tough time.
Not even six-months in from the opening of its first trampoline park in Bolton, one of the UK’s leading and most innovative operators, Jump Xtreme, is thriving. We catch up with Director, Cliff Nicholls, to see how he’s getting on with his new venture… You opened your doors in Bolton to the public in March. … Read more
Funtazia Soft Play Ltd. opened this March in Blackburn, Lancashire. The site offers a fun, safe and educational environment for children to play, giving parents the rare opportunity to relax in the adjoining cafeteria. We caught up with Managing Director, Helen Sproates, to discuss the industry, alternative finance options and why on earth nobody has yet attempted an adult soft play site…
You’ve been open for a couple of months now. How are you getting on?
So far we’ve had an incredible 47,000 visitors. It’s completely packed- we’re exhausted! But what a good problem to have. We’ve also had lots of children’s parties, and we’ve got plenty more lined up.
Slides, ball pools, interactive games and laser tag are just a few of the exciting features enticing ‘Mini Monsterz’ to Whitby and Scarborough soft play sites. The safe and clean facilities, rare opportunity for relaxation, cosy customer café and peace of mind while the little ones play is what brings the monster-tamers back week after week…
Director of Demrahh Play, Brian Moore, is the established site operator and founder of Mini Monsterz. First established in 2008, the Whitby site proved a popular attraction to local and visiting families alike. The Scarborough site opened five years later in 2013 and Demrahh Play now boasts two of the biggest indoor play centres in North Yorkshire.