PPA Presentation on starting an Indoor Play Centre from LIW 2009

1. Considerations to avoid being another business failure statistic in the Indoor Play Market

3. 1) The failure facts Only 50% of PPA members* are showing a profit (other 50% are reporting a net loss, break even or didn’t reply to the particular question in the SOTI survey) New employer businesses have a 50/50 chance of surviving for five years or more (Small Business Association) No set failure pattern- large and small sites, premium and mass market, various locations and business models… Lots of Pitfalls to avoid

8. 4) What makes a successful play centre? Top ten… 4) RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH Speak to customers, local influencers, search the internet, visit other attractions and centres, look abroad for inspiration? Get your model 5) LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Don’t settle for anything but the building that fits your plan. Does it have room for growth and change? Outdoor space, parking, transport links 6) Get the scale right! Match your local population to centre size. A big empty site is a big cost

9. 7) New idea’s keep them coming 8) Know your market- match your brand 9) Competition – You have been warned! Competition comes not just from other play centres, but other leisure attractions such as swimming, bowling, the cinema. 10) The bar is raised- Invest and raise it further or fail 5) What makes a successful play centre? Top ten…