www.leisuremanagement.co.uk
ISSUE 3 2011 VOLUME 31 NUMBER 3
:@E Cinemas get creative with digital plus © 2010 DREAMWORKS ANIMATION LLC © 2010 DREAMWORKS ANIMATION the ‘secret’ fi lm event that’s wowing the crowds BIG ambitions ANDERMATT Simon Naudi global developer ON OPENING CORINTHIA’S LONDON FLAGSHIP Orascom’s grand plans HOTEL AND TAKING THE BRAND GLOBAL for the Swiss resort TURNER CONTEMPORARY CAN THE NEW GALLERY REVIVE MARGATE’S FORTUNES? leisure-kit.net offi cial magazine Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital LEISURE TOURISM HEALTH & FITNESS SPA SPORT ATTRACTIONS HOSPITALITY We know sports and leisure. Relay Relay promises a cost- effective solution that doesn’t compromise on quality or durability. Suitable for wet and dry environments, Relay features our innovative anti-finger trap hinge too. We’re passionate about raising the bar for sports and leisure. We know sports and leisure. Your need for practicality has prompted us to create a versatile range of safe, durable and innovative solutions, whatever your budget. Contact us to order our new brochure. Call 01474 353333. www.venesta.co.uk EDITOR’S LETTER Email: contact’s full name @leisuremedia.com SUBSCRIPTIONS IMSPA IS BORN Denise Gildea +44 (0)1462 471915 n the end, the announce- [email protected] ment was so low-key it CIRCULATION MANAGER A large and important could almost have been Michael Emmerson slice of our industry +44 (0)1462 471932 missed. After 30 years Ilocked in mortal combat, EDITOR can start to build Liz Terry ILAM/ISPAL and ISRM had higher standards, +44 (0)1462 431385 ceased to exist and in their MANAGING EDITOR place was the new Chartered generate new energy Julie Cramer Institute for Sport and and leadership +44 (0)1462 471918 Physical Activity – IMSPA. CONTRIBUTORS For everyone who’s been fol- and have a flag Kate Cracknell lowing, supporting or working to rally round. +44 (0)1462 471906 Kathleen Whyman to resolve the endless wran- +44 (0)1462 471918 glings of these institutes as MANAGING EDITOR/NEWS they tried (and failed) to put their differences The idea for a merged institute was fi rst Tom Walker behind them and create a merged body, this mooted 30 years ago – the year Leisure +44 (0)1462 471934 moment was one of great relief and excite- Management was fi rst published – so we’ve ASSISTANT EDITORS/NEWS ment. But it was also one of anticlimax, as tracked the issues involved through every Pete Hayman they’d burned so much energy and time with twist and turn since our founding. +44 (0)1462 471938 their useless battling, leaving a great deal of We warmly welcome the new organisation Martin Nash +44 (0)1462 471911 rebuilding to do and fences to mend. and hope very much that it will live up to its LEISURE-KIT.NET So we have a new institute, and its Royal promise of uniting this important part of the Martin Nash Charter – which has already been granted industry and raising standards for managers +44 (0)1462 471927 by the Privy Council – has come about far and decision-makers within the sector. PUBLISHER more quickly than anyone imagined possi- There are many exciting synergies to John Challinor ble, thanks to the good judgement of those explore – we’re at least 20 years late making +44 (0)1582 607970 involved. Now a large and important slice of this move as an industry, so have some seri- DISPLAY ADVERTISING our industry can start to build higher stand- ous catching up to do and many challenges Julie Badrick ards, generate new energy and leadership to tackle – not least our seeming inability to +44 (0)1462 4719019 David Hunt and have a fl ag to rally round. increase sports participation to justify both +44 (0)1462 471902 The new institute will represent the active Olympic investment and the generous funding Astrid Ros sector, leaving elements of the original mem- the industry has benefi tted from. +44 (0)1462 471911 bership, such as arts and culture, out of the IMSPA has already begun building bridges Jan Williams mix. It had become obvious that no organ- by announcing links with SkillsActive and the +44 (0)1462 471909 isation would be capable of stretching to Skills Protocol Employer Leadership Group ADVERTISING ARTWORK accommodate all members of both founding for the creation of – among other things – a Ed Gallagher +44 (0)1905 20198 organisations, leaving the only way forward skills passport for the industry. It’s exciting DESIGN being to focus on the interests of the majority. to see skills and training are a major priority Andy Bundy The move of the parks members of ILAM/ for IMSPA as it leads the industry forwards. +44 (0)1462 471924 ISPAL to form the excellent Greenspace in INTERNET 1999 marked the end of hopes that the char- Liz Terry, Editor [email protected] Dean Fox tered institute could be a cross-leisure entity Read leisure management online: +44 (0)1462 471900 and from thereon in, sport was the focus. www.leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital Emma Harris +44 (0)1462 431385 Tim Nash +44 (0)1462 471917 The Leisure Michael Paramore Media Company +44 (0)1462 471926 publishes: FINANCIAL CONTROL Sue Davis +44 (0)1395 519398 CONTACT US: Leisure Management works in partnership with FINANCIAL ADMIN The Leisure Media Company Ltd, Portmill House, Denise Gildea Portmill Lane, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 1DJ UK +44 (0)1462 471930 CREDIT CONTROL Rebekah Scott SUBSCRIPTIONS: [email protected] +44 (0)1462 431385 Tel: +44 (0)1462 471915 Fax: +44 (0)1462 433909 ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 3 CONTENTS IN THIS ISSUE... Grand plans for a sleepy Swiss resort, p42 The Royal Shakespeare Theatre moves into the 21st century, p26 On your bike: Soho is launch site for new commuter club chain, p20 Simon Naudi on plans for the luxury Corinthia Hotel brand, p30 Leisure Management news 26 architect’s focus 40 unlocking the portal 6 World Leisure bennett’s associates Capita Symonds’ Chris Marriott consid- 8 Commercial The renowned Royal Shakespeare ers whether ‘procurement e-portals’ 10 Attractions Theatre is now a contemporary visitor are the best way to match local author- 12 Sport attraction, following a six-year transfor- ity schemes with the right suppliers 13 Health & Fitness mation. Architect Simon Erridge tells 14 Public Sector Julie Cramer about the triumphs and 42 big ambitions 16 Parks challenges of the project scaling new heights 17 Spa A sleepy little ski resort situated in the 18 Hospitality 30 interview Swiss Alps is earmarked for a grand 19 Property simon naudi scale redevelopment into an all-year- As Corinthia Hotel London launches, round tourist destination, featuring 20 hotseat the group’s director talks to Julie high environmental credentials. Kath piers slater Cramer about the Maltese company’s Hudson reports The founder of H2 Bike Run talks to plans for global expansion Kath Hudson about his planned chain 50 fi tness of commuter clubs for the capital 34 local luxury paul lorimer-wing The team behind Inside Spa in Pendle The joint CEO of easyGym talks to Kate 24 design news talk to Julie Cramer about establishing Cracknell about the company’s new Including two leisure parks for Nigeria a highly successful public sector spa in ‘premium low-cost’ fitness model and and Folkestone’s new fish restaurant a deprived area of the country its plans for expansion 4 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 ISSUE 3 2011 Success of the ‘secret’ cinema, p64 Picture perfect: Latest figures show the UK cinema industry is thriving in a digital world, p60 easyGym’s new ‘premium low-cost’ fitness offer hits the market, p50 New opening: Turner Contemporary puts Margate on the map, p54 54 turning tides 64 lights, camera, action READER SERVICES Margate’s new art gallery, Turner Future Cinema founder, Fabien Riggall, Digital magazine Contemporary, is at the heart of plans to talks to Julie Cramer about his highly Read Leisure Management online regenerate the Kent resort where JMW popular multi-media film experiences leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital Turner once painted his famous sea- scapes. Rhianon Howells reports 66 mystery shopper News & jobs forest adventure For jobs and news visit the 59 brave new world Bart Dohmen and his family check out Leisure Management website at CLOA’s John Bell reports from the the largest CenterParcs Europe holiday www.leisuremanagement.co.uk annual gathering of chief leisure and village, in Moselle-Lorraine, France Attention buyers! culture officers, where leaders con- 70 Use our product search engine to find sidered the challenges of a changing senior’s solutions suppliers and get innovation updates public landscape Grahame Senior considers how hospi- www.leisure-kit.net tality businesses can run a tighter ship 60 positive projections Subscribe: As more and more UK cinemas 72 leisure directory Sign up for Leisure Management at embrace digitisation, the scope for leisuremanagement.co.uk/subs or call: +44 (0)1462 471915 attracting new audiences and more 74 final thoughts revenue streams widens. Dee Davison Serial entrepreneur Peter de Savary Buyers’ guide: presents findings from the latest cin- talks to Magali Robathan about his For suppliers of products and services ema industry report approach to the leisure industry in the leisure markets, turn to p104 ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 5 World leisure news >i\\ec`^_k]fiE\nJflk_ LJ+*dYffjk]fi8ib A Legoland Discovery Centre is to open in 2012 D\ic`ekf\ek\iAXgXe\j\ LE 6 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 World leisure news JXl[`8iXY`Xe8c$DXi`eX E\n;\c_`_fk\ccXleZ_\jjgX gifa\ZkX[mXeZ\j Th e Imperial Hotel in New Injaz Development Company has appointed Delhi, India, has announced Jacobs Engineering Group to provide the launch of a 16,000sq ft infrastructure and construction super- (1,486sq m) spa located amid vision services for its US$2.7bn (£1.7bn) landscaped gardens, which is Al-Marina project in Saudi Arabia. available to guests only. Scheduled to be completed by 2015, the Featuring architecture project will link the cities of Dammam and infl uenced by the Moghul era, Al-Khobar and extends over an area of 3.3 the Imperial Spa aims to pro- million sq m (36 million sq ft ). vide a range of services that When complete, the development will it believes are “essential ele- include luxury villas, hotels, tourist facil- ments” to a healthy lifestyle. ities, attractions and multi-use towers, as Facilities feature Imperial well as schools and mosques. Hydrotherapy suites for pre and post treatment and the Kerala Suite – offering One of the Hydrotherapy suites at the Imperial Hotel’s new spa facility Ayurvedic therapies and the availability of a doctor’s consultation. other rooms off ering spa therapies are also Th e Kerala Suite also boasts two rooms with among the facilities. oils and herbal remedies for “ancient healing”, Vijay Wanchoo, senior vice president and while the Moghul Suite is the spa’s private facil- general manager of Th e Imperial Hotel, said: image: kallerna ity for couples or families. Elsewhere, the Kabir “Th e Imperial Spa is designed to purely de- Room off ers Th ai massage, yoga and medi- stress and rejuvenate your senses, inspired by tation and Rumi’s Relaxation Room and fi ve India’s rich spiritual wisdom and heritage.” International tourism is key to Egypt’s recovery I`gk`[\9XpcXleZ_\jXkJ`o=cX^jgXib GD1Kfli`jdÊZilZ`XcËkf Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois, to cover 20 acres (8.1 hectares) with the addi- <^pgkËji\Zfm\ip US, has announced the launch of its new 4-acre tion of the Riptide Bay development. (1.6-hectare) water park expansion – Riptide New slides installed as part of the extension Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharraf has Bay at Hurriane Harbor. include Mega Wedgie and Dive Bomber, which underlined the importance of the tourism Hurricane Harbor, which was fi rst launched both feature a Skybox launching capsule that sector in driving forward the country’s eco- at the theme park in 2005, has now expanded sees the fl oor open underneath riders. nomic recovery over the coming months. Sharraf said the industry – one of Egypt’s foremost foreign exchange earners and accounting for one in seven jobs - had a key Jgfik`e^BXejXj:`kplem\`cje\njkX[`ld role to play in the country’s transition. Egyptian minister of tourism Mounir LIVESTRONG Sporting Park, Fakhri Abdel-Nour said: “Th e sector is a new 18,467-capacity home a lifeline for our economy and in 2010 stadium for Sporting Kansas accounted for 11.5 per cent of our GDP and City, has offi cially opened. US$13bn (£8.1bn) in revenues.” Populous were behind the design of the venue, which was built by Turner Construction 8L.''djkX[`ldkfY\ and can increase its capacity [\m\cfg\[`eG\ik_ to 25,000 for concerts. Built at a cost of US$200m Premier Colin Barnett, minister for state (£124.6m), LIVESTRONG development in Western Australia, has said Sporting Park incorporates a new AU$700m (£463.4m) stadium is to be a 75-yard x 120-yard natural built on Perth’s Burswood Peninsula. grass surface with a SubAir Th e 60,000-seat venue – due to be com- under-soil heating and cooling pleted in 2018 – will be the third largest in systems - larger than English A portion of venue revenues will fund LIVESTRONG’s advocacy work Australia and the second largest Australian Premier League pitches. Football League home stadium. The stadium is named as the result of Th e deal will see a portion of all stadium Western Australia’s 2011-12 state budget a partnership between the football club revenues – including ticket sales and conces- will allow for AU$13m (£8.6m) over a two- and LIVESTRONG – a brand of the Lance sions – used to help fund the charity’s advocacy year period towards the planning of the Armstrong Foundation, which was established work. Local cancer survivorship services will venue, with the fi nal cost of the scheme to in 1997 by the cyclist and cancer survivor. also be developed for Kansas City residents. be determined once designs are fi nalised. ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 7 Commercial news 8ccJkXiCXe\jj`^ejlgkf >cXj^fnXi\eXkffg\e`e)'(* N\jkÔ\c[JkiXk]fi[:`kp Th e Scottish Exhibition and Westfi eld Stratford City, a new retail-led Conference Centre (SECC) scheme at the gateway to the Olympic Park, has announced that a new has signed up All Star Lanes to operate a 12,000-seat entertainment bowling alley, restaurant and cocktail bar. arena being developed in Th e boutique operator fi rst launched in Glasgow is scheduled to open 2005 and will unveil its fourth site in the in spring 2013. capital with this latest venture, following All Energy supplier Scottish Star Lanes Brick Lane – opened in 2008. Hydro has been announced as Image: foster + partners All Star Lanes is set to join an Aspers the naming rights partner for casino, three hotels, and an events and the new Foster and Partners- entertainment space as part of the Westfi eld designed venue, which is Stratford City scheme, along with a expected to host around 140 17-screen Vue cinema. events and attract up to 1 mil- lion visitors each year. Th e Hydro – as it is collo- Th e Hydro is poised to attract up to 1 million visitors on an annual basis quially now known – is set to be one of the world’s busiest arenas and gen- with the SECC, we were able to create a unique erate £131m for the local economy. SECC has proposition with Scottish Hydro.” secured the deal with Scottish Hydro with the SECC chief executive John Sharkey added: help of the operator and owner of some of the “We look forward to working with Scottish world’s leading venues, AEG Worldwide. Hydro to deliver an unrivalled programme of AEG Global Partnerships senior vice pres- world class events, providing Scottish audi- ident Europe Paul Samuels said: “Working ences with access to iconic, global acts.” Playboy icon Hugh Hefner (centre) at the launch Gifgfj\[E<:Zfdgc\oe\kjZXj`efc`Z\eZ\ GcXpYfp:clYdXb\j Plans for a new casino as part of a wider leisure proposals - has landed a large casino premises Cfe[fei\klie and entertainment complex to be developed on licence from Solihull Council. the outskirts of Birmingham have been handed Th e council’s licensing committee granted A gala event has helped mark the offi cial a boost by local councillors. the permit to Genting, which was the only bid- opening of a new Playboy Club on Old Park Genting UK, which is working alongside the der to proceed to the second stage of a licensing Lane, Mayfair – 35 years aft er Hugh Hefner’s NEC Group on the Resorts World at the NEC process that concluded on 31 January. brand fi rst made its London debut. London-based Jestico + Whiles are behind the design of the 17,000sq ft (1,579sq m) venue – developed by London Clubs 9\k]i\[kfXZhl`i\Kfk\]fi)-,d International and Playboy Enterprises. Facilities at the new Playboy Club Betfred has won the race to London venue feature a Gentlemen’s Tonic buy state-owned bookmaker, salon; high-limit salon privé gaming rooms; the Horserace Totalisator a restaurant; a lounge; and table games, as Board (Tote) from the gov- well as a members’ club. ernment in a £265m deal. It is thought that the horse racing sector will benefi t from EfYc\>iflgkff]ÕfX[ payments of more than £155m 9i`^_kfeËj_`jkfi`Zg`\i as part of the deal, which will allow the business to develop GVA Humberts Leisure has announced that Image: monkeywing as part of a larger group. Noble Group, the owner of Brighton’s his- Deferred amounts - includ- toric pier, has put the attraction up for sale ing accrued interest - of £115m for the fi rst time in more than 25 years. will then be paid, with more Noble Group has owned the Grade II*- than £90m to be retained by listed pier since 1984 and helped transform the taxpayer as a 50 per cent Betfred will receive an exclusive licence to operate at UK racing venues its commercial fortunes, with 18 themed share of the net proceeds. attractions and rides currently on off er. Betfred will also receive an exclusive seven- why, in the modern world, the government Th e disposal of Brighton Pier will include year licence to operate pool betting operations should be even a part owner of a bookie. the sale of the entire issued share capital at all UK racing venues. “So we pledged last year to end years of dith- of the Brighton Marine Palace and Pier John Penrose, minister for gambling and ering and resolve the future of the Tote, and Company, which was established by Act of racing, said: “Most people can’t understand today we have done just that.” Parliament in 1888 to run the attraction. 8 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 work with us Capita Symonds is interested in meeting with individuals or companies that would like to talk about collaborating on sport and leisure projects. Call us if you want to share ideas and develop joint opportunities. Our services include: leisure management options appraisals & procurement business planning & economic appraisal facility feasibility funding & finance major event feasibility contact us: Tom Pinnington 07747 007053 [email protected] www.capitasymonds.co.uk/sportandleisure successful people, projects and performance Attractions news :fek`elldj\\bjZfej\ek ]fiZ_fZfcXk\XkkiXZk`fe 9i`jkfcËj).dDJ_\[lem\`c\[ Continuum is in discussions with the land- M Shed – a new £27m water- lords of York House, Kings Square, York, as front heritage museum part of plans to create a new confectionary- housed in the iconic 1950s themed visitor attraction in the city. transit sheds – has opened its Oakgate Group is applying to York City doors to the public at Bristol’s image: richard bryant/arcaidimages.com Council for ‘change of use’ planning per- Prince’s Wharf. mission for the premises for use as a visitor Bristol City Council has attraction and associated uses. part-funded the creation of The 6,400sq ft (595sq m) space is the attraction, which also spread across three fl oors and according received a £11.6m grant from to Continuum, the new attraction would the Heritage Lottery Fund and “refl ect the fascinating story of the city’s will be at the hub of the city’s trading and manufacturing past”. new cultural quarter. LAB Architecture Studio and BAM Construction worked on the creation of Th e new attraction is housed within the city’s iconic 1950s transit sheds M Shed, which features 3,000 exhibits from the city’s collection and Rabbit and a spray-painted pink record desk incorporates three permanent galleries and used by Bristol band Massive Attack. a temporary exhibition space, plus a glazed Bristol Museums and Archives head Julie rooft op extension off ering views across the Finch said: “[M Shed] builds on Bristol’s great harbour, workshops and a train shed. heritage to bring experts and the community Items on show include models and props together in the joint endeavour of building a from Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were new narrative for the city.” Porth Teigr is set to be the attraction’s new home ;fZkfiN_f 10 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 Visit our stand at ...and if you want to talk to kids, you need to talk to us We’re experts in Kids media, so if you want to reach this powerful and growing audience, you should come to us. You can run a campaign on our channels for less budget than you might think, and the high return on investment might surprise you too. Find out how we can help you at: www.turnermediainnovations.com/leisure We make advertising child’s play *Source: Turner Media Innovations, Holiday & Day-Out research 2011 Sports news of Understanding (MoU) to image: benis arapovic/shutterstock.com In June, councillors agreed to move for- boost sporting participation. ward with the S&P Architects-designed Th e agreement is designed project aft er considering the fi ndings of a to recognise that, as well as review of its business case. national governing bodies, Th e local authority has now announced operators have the capabil- that it has agreed savings with main con- ity and knowledge to help tractor Willmott Dixon to provide the extra encourage more people to swimming capacity – adding an extra 100sq take part in sport. m (1,076sq ft ) of pool space. Both Sport England and the FIA will collaborate on a range of areas, including the Th e MoU recognises the capability of operators to boost participation support for operators to build mutually benefi cial relationships with national to the digital legacy from the 2012 Games by governing bodies. Th e development of proj- creating online resources to allow, for example, ects with commercial partners and to meet the people to fi nd their nearest sports facilities. strategic aims of both organisations also fea- Sport England’s Charles Johnston said: “Th is ture in the MoU. agreement further strengthens our relationship Meanwhile, other areas include the creation with the FIA as we deepen the links between of new benchmarking tools and a contribution operators and the rest of the sport sector.” S&P Architects designed the club’s new stadium I\Zfi[i\m\el\j]fiGi\d`\iC\X^l\ZclYj NfibjkXikjfeIfk_\i_Xd English Premier League clubs reported record of the top 20 clubs increased by 2 per cent, with Le`k\[jkX[`ldjZ_\d\ revenues of more than £2bn during the 2009- broadcast revenue up 7 per cent to £1.04bn. 10 season, according to new research published Total combined revenues for the top 92 A groundbreaking ceremony has taken by Deloitte’s Sports Business Group. English football clubs – including sides in the place to mark the start of work on a £17.3m The latest Annual Review of Football three Football League divisions – grew by 5 per stadium that is to provide a new home for Finance has revealed that collective revenues cent in the 2009-10 season to nearly £2.7bn. Rotherham United Football Club. Th e 12,000-seat stadium development – designed by S&P Architects – will be delivered on the site of the South Yorkshire Le`m\ij`kplem\`cj*'dJgfik:\ekiXc town’s former Guest and Chrimes foundry site by GMI Construction. A new £30m sports centre Gleeds is project managing the scheme, that off ers facilities for fi tness, which will see the north and south stands sport development, research to boast a polycarbonate edge to the roof to and the staging of events enable light to reach the playing surface. has been offi cially unveiled by Northumbria University (NU) in Newcastle. DliiXp]Xd`cpcXleZ_\j Sir Robert McAlpine e\nJ\k+Jgfik`e`k`Xk`m\ started construction work on the Atkins-designed Sport Tennis players Andy and Jamie Murray Central venue in 2008, with have teamed up with mother Judy to launch Gardiner and Th eobald act- a scheme designed to help parents develop ing as project manager. their children’s skills through sport. Sport Central incorporates Set4Sport, which also features the Royal a 3,000-capacity main arena Bank of Scotland (RBS) as a partner, is to stage sporting events and Sport Central includes facilities for performance analysis and lab space based on a book of activities, ball skills to provide a home court for and exercises to enable young people to the Newcastle Eagles basketball team. NU vice-chancellor and chief executive acquire basic skills. Elsewhere, dedicated lab space for physiol- Professor Andrew Wathey said: “Sport Central Th e initiative is inspired by the games ogy, biomechanics, gait and nutrition and a is a beacon for this university’s contribution to that Judy played with Andy and Jamie when performance analysis suite have been created, the region – a state of the art facility and cen- they were growing up and is designed to along with a 60m, four-lane sprint track. tre of sporting excellence.” support local communities. 12 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 Health & Fitness news =`ke\jj=`ijkfg\ejZclYXk K_\Gf[jfg\ej`eJZlek_fig\ 8ij\eXcËj]fid\ijkX[`ld North Lincolnshire Council Arsenal Football Club’s former Highbury (NLC) has unveiled Th e Pods stadium in north London has become the – a new multi-million pound home of Fitness First’s latest club. leisure and sports develop- Th e £2.2m club – part of the Highbury ment in Scunthorpe. Square Development – boasts 20,000sq ft A split-level, 85-station Life (1,900sq m) of work out space and has been Fitness gym occupying one of equipped by Life Fitness and Technogym. the fi ve pod-like structures Group exercise studio and separate was among the fi rst of the new group cycling studios will offer a wide facilities to open on 4 July at range of classes, while the club also houses the venue, which was built by a freestyle area to allow members to take Bowmer and Kirkland. advantage of the latest developments in fi t- Andrew Wright was behind ness equipment and techniques. the design of Th e Pods, with S&P Architects acting as the delivery architects. A six- One of the largest domes at Th e Pods is home to the swimming facilities court sports hall, two exercise studios, a sauna, a spa bath and a steamroom NLC deputy leader John Briggs said: “We were also among the fi rst facilities to open. Th e made a commitment to provide an iconic, con- swimming pool area – occupying one of the temporary sport and leisure complex for the largest domes – was unveiled on 11 July. people of North Lincolnshire. Buro Happold has also been involved with “Th e building is impressive – it is built to the creation of Th e Pods, which is designed to a very high standard and it really stands out, blend into the surrounding landscape. but without being too imposing.” Fit4Less Hartlepool launched three months ago =`ke\jj@e[ljkip8jjfZ`Xk`felem\`cji\j\XiZ_`ejk`klk\ ye\i^`\`eZi\Xj\jifccflk Th e Fitness Industry Association (FIA) has the current focus of research more towards kXi^\k]fi=`k+C\jjZ_X`e launched its Research Institute at London’s structured forms of exercise. University of Greenwich. Th e fi rst programme is set to be the FIA Health club operator énergie has launched FIA chief medical offi cer Dr John Searle Structured Exercise Research Study, which its 13th Fit4Less-branded budget gym in and the university’s Professor Alfonso Jimenez is an evidence-based, dose-response 12-week Chesham and revealed that it has increased head up the institute, which aims to re-balance intervention study. the pace of the chain’s expansion strategy. A 14th club will open shortly in Stockport and énergie has now imposed a target of 45 openings in the next two years. ;CClem\`cjgcXej]fi()d=Xie_XdZclY According to énergie, an average Fit4Less club achieves around 700 members in pre- David Lloyd Leisure (DLL) sales prior to each launch. has announced plans for a Brand director David Beattie said the no new 6,000sq m (64,583sq contract model used by the chain worked ft ) sports, health and fi tness for attracting the clubs’ target market. facility in Farnham, Surrey, which feature the group’s larg- est Amida Spa. I`^_k;`i\Zk`fejkf Located next to Farnham [\c`m\ie\n=@8Zf[\ Rugby Club, the £12m venue will incorporate a 1,013sq m Health and safety management company (10,904sq ft) spa area with Right Directions has been awarded a two- six treatment rooms off ering year contract to deliver the Fitness Industry therapies and massages. Association’s (FIA) new Code of Practice. Other Amida Spa facilities Each assessed venue will receive a full at the Farnham development report under the new Code of Practice, with will include four sauna rooms; Th e £12m scheme will include David Lloyd Leisure’s largest Amida Spa non-compliant sites given a comprehensive a relaxation area; a nail studio; action plan to help address issues. a spray tanning salon; experience rooms; out- as well as a multi-purpose sports hall. A 25m Right Directions, which also deliv- door sauna cabins; and a spa pool. swimming pool and separate children’s pool; ers Sport England’s Quest accreditation Elsewhere, the new DLL club in Farnham a 470sq m (5,059sq ft ) DL Kids area; and a scheme, also said that the agreement will will comprise eight outdoor tennis courts and 1,337sq m (14,391sq ft ) gym with cv and resis- enable operators to achieve the FIA code an on-site physiotherapy and osteopathy clinic, tance machines are also planned. as part of the Quest process. ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 13 Public sector news KXoYffjk]fi@i`j_kfli`jdj\Zkfi E\nmfclek\\i`e^gcXe]fi Cfe[feXikjj\Zkfi Ireland’s tourism industry is to London mayor Boris Johnson is to work in receive a boost from the gov- partnership with arts and cultural groups ernment, aft er plans to reduce across the capital to enhance the status of the tax burden on the sector image: darren pierse kelly/shutterstock.com volunteers working within the sector. were revealed by fi nance min- Th e mayor has proposed the develop- ister Michael Noonan. ment of a city-wide framework for the Between 2007-2010, Ireland arts and cultural sector, with 82 per cent has reported a 25 per cent of groups expecting demand for volunteers cumulative decline in the to increase by 2013. number of overseas visitor It follows a survey of 90 not-for-profi t numbers, with tourism and arts organisations by Greater London travel-related earnings for the Authority and London Cultural Quarters, same period falling by around a representative group for the sector. 30 per cent. In his speech, Noonan announced a raft of measures Th e measures confi rmed by Noonan are designed to encourage tourism that are designed to reverse the decline in inbound numbers and “capita- Elsewhere, the €3 (£2.71) air travel tax is to lise on the potential” of the Irish tourism sector be abolished, subject to an agreement with air- to encourage economic growth. lines to bring in additional passenger numbers image: lewis clarke VAT rates on tourism products, including to the country, while visitors looking to travel theatres, cinemas, amusement parks and sport- to Ireland and holding a visa allowing entry ing facilities, have been reduced by Noonan to the UK will not have to apply to the Irish from 13.5 per cent to 9 per cent. government for a separate visa. A 2-mile stretch is set to benefi t from a makeover 8kknff[i\fg\ejE@c`jk\[Yl`c[`e^^iXekjZ_\d\ +ddXb\fm\i]fi Northern Ireland environment minister Alex £50,000 is now available for projects to restore Cfe[feËjJflk_9Xeb Attwood has lift ed the temporary suspension and preserve the country’s oldest properties. of the historic buildings grant-aid scheme, Attwood said: “Th is will be a boost, not just London’s South Bank is to benefi t from a which was implemented in December 2010. for our built heritage and owners of properties, £4m makeover ahead of the 2012 Olympic Th e programme was halted due to the high but also for our construction industry, creat- and Paralympic Games to enhance access demand for grant-aid but funding worth ing and sustaining jobs.” to its cultural attractions and eateries. Mayor Boris Johnson will work with Lambeth and Southwark councils, as well as residents’ groups and local businesses, to Jgfik`mXk\c\^XZpgif^iXdd\cXleZ_\j upgrade a 2-mile (3.2km) section. Th e stretch of the South Bank between A new £32m project has been Tower and Westminster Bridges will be launched to allow 300,000 enhanced – including locations such as young people to receive six- the Globe Theatre, the Oxo Tower and to-eight weeks of coaching in Southwark Cathedral. a sport of their choice. Sport England is behind the Sportivate scheme, which 8jj\dYcpkfgifY\)'() will be funded by the National m\el\c\^XZp Lottery and will target 14-to- 25-year olds. An investigation has been launched by the Th e initiative will specif- London Assembly’s economy, culture and ically focus on those who sport (ECS) committee to examine the leg- aren’t playing sport in their acy plans for the Olympic Park venues. own time and will be deliv- Th e probe will focus on how the Aquatics ered by the network of county Centre; the Handball Arena; the VeloPark; sports partnerships, local pro- Th e £32m Sportivate initiative is specifi cally targeted at 14-25-year-olds Eton Manor; and the Hockey Centre will viders and sports clubs. pay for themselves over a long-term period. To help inspire and motivate the partici- Sport England chief executive Jennie Price A full report is due this autumn. pants, our Sporting Champions – a team of said: “Lots of young people think sport isn’t Members of the ECS committee will also current and retired elite athletes – will visit for them. I would like them to have the chance explore whether each of the facilities has Sportivate sessions to share their experiences to discover whether there is a sport they really struck a balance between the cost to the and enthusiasm for sport. enjoy. Th is programme is all about choice.” taxpayer, community access and elite use. 14 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 Extra income. Green heat for your pool. Energy and carbon savings. Get set for solar to heat your pool A solar thermal system on your pool is the most cost effective way to use solar snergy. Solar collectors, which can be roof or ground mounted, feed free hotwater through pipework, via a plate heat exchanger and dump free solar heat directly back into your pool. Save carbon, reduce your fuel bills and make money for the next 20 years. 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Contact us now at [email protected] | www.future-heating.co.uk GROUP COMPANY Parks news *%,d:_\jk\igXib N_`k\GXg\ikfÊgifk\ZkËeXkli\ gifgfjXcjkf^ffej_fn A White Paper – Th e Natural A public exhibition is to be launched by Choice – has been compiled Cheshire West and Chester Council to by the government to high- allow residents to explore plans for a £3.5m light plans for the protection, revamp of Chester’s Grosvenor Park. restoration and improvements Proposals, which aim to restore the park’s of the natural environment. original landscape and secure Green Flag It is the fi rst White Paper status, went on display at Chester Library covering the natural environ- on 9 June as part of the consultation. ment for around two decades Grosvenor Park has already made it and sets out a programme of through the fi rst stage of the application action to repair damage to the process for a Heritage Lottery Fund grant, UK’s nature in the past. with a detailed submission for a full award Th e Natural Choice comes due to be made in the autumn. after the UK National Ecosystem Assessment found that nature was worth billions Th e new White Paper includes plans for 12 Nature Improvement Areas of pounds to the economy. Recommendations from Professor John Environment secretary Caroline Spelman Lawton in his September 2010 report Making said: “Nature belongs to us all, and we’ve all Space for Nature are also acted upon. Plans got a vested interest in protecting it. Th at’s why include a £7.5m fund to create an initial 12 the true value of nature should be built in to Nature Improvement Areas, while support the decisions we make so that we become the for parks, gardens and tree planting in urban fi rst generation to leave the environment in a areas is also proposed. better condition than we found it.” Th e visitor centre features eco-friendly measures I\gfik_`^_c`^_kjÊmXcl\Ëf]LBËjeXkli\ (%,dEXk`feXc=fi\jk Th e health benefi ts of living with a view of to investigate the economic, health and social :pZc\:\eki\kffg\e green space are worth up to £300 per person benefi ts from trees, parks and waterways. per year, according to a new report examining It is believed that the natural environment is Th e National Forest Company (NFC) and the value of the UK’s natural environment. worth billions of pounds to the economy, and the Forestry Commission have opened the New approaches have been used in the UK it is anticipated that the report’s fi ndings will £1.5m National Forest Cycle Centre is to National Ecosystem Assessment (UK NEA) be used by the government to shape policy. open at Hicks Lodge, Leicestershire. Purple Mountain has been appointed to run the complex, which features a visi- tor centre and 8 miles (12.9km) of off -road -'dCfe[feI`m\iGXibgcXejlem\`c\[ cycling trails. A café and a play area have also been created as part of the scheme. London mayor Boris Johnson Pick Everard provided architectural, has secured up to £60m of engineering, quantity surveying and funding towards the creation BREEAM and CDM consultancy services of a new 1km (0.6-mile) fl oat- Image: (c) gensler/greater authority london on the development. ing promenade along the north bank of the Th ames. Gensler have drawn up Kiljk\\j]fie\n designs for the London River nXk\inXpjZ_Xi`kpeXd\[ Park scheme, which is to be fi nanced by Venus Group of Founding trustees have been appointed to a Singapore. A Memorandum of new charity, which is to take over the man- Understanding has now been agement of canals, rivers and docks across signed between Gensler and England and Wales from April 2012. the mayor that will see the city British Waterways (BW) chair Tony benefi t from 30 per cent of the Hales will chair the charity, following rec- project’s net revenues. Th e London River Park project is scheduled to be opened next summer ommendations made by the Advisory Panel Th e 12m (39.4ft )-wide pon- on First Appointments and Transition. toon is earmarked to run parallel to the existing events, with the promenade to be completed Other trustees put forward by the panel pathways that border the City of London by next summer. Mace is also involved. to waterways minister Richard Benyon between Blackfriars Bridge and Customs Johnson said: “Th e sheer beauty and design include current BW vice chair John House. Eight themed pavilions will be situated brilliance of this structure will provide yet Bridgeman and the chief executive of along the route to showcase London and host another amazing and unique attraction.” English Heritage, Dr Simon Th urley. 16 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 Spa news E\njgXfg\ejXk_`jkfi`Z Cil exeros nit iriustie duis augiam veros adit E\nkiXm\cjgXfg\ejXk ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 17 Hospitality news KiXm\cf[^\kfcXleZ_ e\nD\kifZfeZ\gk 9?8_`^_c`^_kjM8KZfeZ\iej Travelodge has announced plans to develop The British Hospitality properties off ering 20-40 rooms under its Association (BHA) has under- new Metro concept, which will help accel- lined concerns that high levels erate the group’s growth plans. of VAT on UK tourism busi- The Metro concept will see smaller nesses is acting as a deterrent hotels built in highly-priced, prestigious to visitors and ‘staycationers’. locations such as the City of London and Th e organisation’s annual cities including Oxford and Bath. report – published on 6 June – Popular destinations such as Cornwall said the rate of VAT is having and the Lake District will also be targeted a negative eff ect on the Prime as part of the new project, which will enable Minister’s bid to boost domes- Travelodge to open sites where larger tic tourism to 50 per cent. opportunities are not available. According to the BHA report, “the present level of VAT in the UK is one of the most pressing issues facing the Th e BHA warned that current VAT levels are hindering tourism growth industry today, making UK tourism uncompetitive with most European Th e BHA will also compile a study to look competitor countries.” into the potential eff ect of a reduction in VAT Research commissioned by Bourne Leisure on the restaurants and eating out sector. and Merlin Entertainments and undertaken Elsewhere in the report, the association by Deloitte will now be used to help lobby the has called for support for the tourism indus- government and bring about a reduction in the try through the Regional Growth Fund aft er VAT levied on hotel accommodation. VisitEngland’s bid for £29m was rejected. Th e apps’ launch continues IHG’s mobile strategy @?>cXleZ_\j`G_fe\ E\n_fk\cXe[jgX]fiCfe[fe>fc]:clY Yffb`e^Xggc`ZXk`fej London Golf Club in Ash, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has Kent, is planning to develop a announced the launch of new iPhone appli- new hotel and spa complex as cations to allow guests to fi nd and book part of its ambition to estab- rooms across each of its seven brands. lish a ‘world-class’ golf resort Th e launch marks the continuation of in south east England. the company’s mobile strategy and fol- The club – host venue of lows December 2010’s unveiling of the the 2008 and 2009 European InterContinental Concierge Insider Guides Open – has already received for the iPad. consent from Tonbridge and Each of the apps have booking and man- Malling Borough Council for agement reservation features, such as quick the £35m scheme. access to contact details and maps and Designed by MacKenzie secure storage of credit card information. Wheeler, the new develop- ment will include a 2,000sq m (21,528sq ft ) spa with 12 treat- MacKenzie Wheeler have drawn up the designs for the hotel/spa project J`iIfY\ikDZ8cg`e\cXe[j ment rooms; relaxation areas; 9lkc`ej_fk\cZfekiXZk a sauna; a steamroom; and a spa café. Th e 130-room hotel will boast a variety of Facilities will also boast a gym; a studio and dining options and meeting accommodation, Hertfordshire-based construction group a pool, as well as associated thermal suites and while European Tour chief executive George Sir Robert McAlpine has secured a deal to hydrotherapy provision. Product suppliers for O’Grady has said a European Tour Regional design and build a new 244-bedroom hotel the spa are yet to be confi rmed. Offi ce will form part of the development. at Butlins’ resort in Bognor Regis. Butlins Skyline is behind the eight-sto- rey development, which is set to feature an NXc[fi]8jkfi`Xkf\ek\iJZfkk`j_dXib\k L-shaped design and its upper levels reduc- ing in footprint to create a stepped eff ect. Hilton Worldwide has revealed that its Waldorf £24m conversion of the property into Th e Located on the western side of the Astoria Hotels and Resorts luxury brand is to Caledonian, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel. resort, the new development has also been debut in Scotland next summer, with the open- Th e hotel has already benefi ted from £10m designed to feature white render, curves and ing of a new property in Edinburgh. worth of enhancements, with an additional balconies to help ensure a nautical theme A deal has been signed with the owner of £14m to be spent as part of the conversion pro- and to complement the seaside setting. The Caledonian Hilton Edinburgh for the cess to add and upgrade the facilities. 18 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 Property news 9i`k`j_CXe[XZhl`i\j DX`[\e_\X[jZ_\d\ >i\\ec`^_k]fi:_\cj\X9XiiXZbj British Land has confi rmed the £74m acqui- Qatari Diar’s masterplan sition of a 198,000sq ft (18,395sq m) scheme for the multi-million pound in Maidenhead – featuring 85,000sq ft transformation of the Chelsea (7,897sq m) of leisure space. Barracks site has been given Th e leisure component of the Grenfell the green light by Westminster Island development is anchored by a City Council (WCC). 10-screen Odeon cinema and a health club, Th e local authority’s plan- while the remaining fl oorspace is currently ning and city development occupied by offi ce units. committee has backed outline British Land said that the weighted aver- plans for a 12.8-acre (5.2-hect- age lease length for the entire property is are) mixed-use scheme, which 10.7 years, while the acquisition is to gener- will feature a sports centre. ate a net initial yield of 7.5 per cent. Public art; retail space; and a medical centre are also earmarked as part of the pro- posals that have been drawn Project Blue, the property arm of Qatari Diar, will lead the development up by Dixon Jones; Squire and Partners; and Kim Wilkie Associates. Barracks is the most signifi cant residential Th e Grade II-listed former Garrison Chapel development we have seen in Westminster in will also be retained to form a “beating heart” recent years. to the development, which will now be referred “We should be proud of this scheme and the to mayor Boris Johnson for approval. eff ort put into it by all parties. Th e masterplan Alistair Moss, chair of WCC’s planning and has widespread support among local residents, city development committee, said: “Chelsea community groups and businesses.” A new community is planned for East Greenwich ?X[c\pDXZ\kfc\X[ ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 19 HOTSEAT PIERS SLATER In April, London’s Soho became the fi rst site in a proposed chain of commuter clubs – H2 Bike Run – which aims to release people from London Underground hell. Founder Piers Slater talks to Kath Hudson What’s your background? back burner. With the crash in 2008, we dusted down the My background is in property development. I was a com- plans and started looking for sites. We looked at funding mercial property agent and worked as an agent for clients it externally, but decided that we wanted to keep control of including Virgin Active in the 90s. In 2002 I set up my own the concept, so there are only fi ve investors and no bank property company, Reef Estates. We develop in the retail, debt. Currently we’ve invested around £1.9m. leisure, supermarket, residential and hotel sectors. What does the H2 concept off er? Where did you get the inspiration for H2 Bike Run? The 1,400sq m (13,000sq ft) club is open from 6.00am I’ve been a cyclist commuter for a number of years. It’s a to 9.30pm and encompasses a Spinning® and core con- brilliant way to get a workout, switch off from the offi ce and ditioning studio – there’s no other CV equipment. The Star make the commute a memorable part of the day, rather Trac-equipped Spin® studio, H2 Ride, will be the heart and than fi nding your face in someone’s armpit on the Tube! soul of the club, offering six classes a day. The downside was that it was always a problem getting There are fantastic showers, vanity bays and lockers. For a decent shower. I even joined a gym in order to solve this bike commuters, we have secure parking for 260 bikes and problem, but that didn’t really provide everything I needed. 220 nearby. We offer bike servicing and we’ve teamed up I’ve had two bikes stolen when parked on the street, so I with Polaris and Gore to sell apparel. also felt there was a need for secure bike parking. We’re also planning to hold cycle confi dence training, spe- We want to create a ‘cycle and run’ community in London cialist triathlon training and a running club. The aim is to and support an active commute. Our ethos is that we’re a use the club and social media to build a running and cycling normal gym, except we’ve thrown the treadmills outside. community. Additional services include personal training, sports therapy and massage, and dry cleaning and laundry. How did you get the idea off the ground? I initially had the idea in 2004, which in hindsight was a bit Are you running the additional services yourselves? early. Then the property boom took off, so it was put on a No, we’ve partnered with other companies: Sarah and The club offers core conditioning equipment (left) and 260 on-site stations for bike parking (right) 20 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2010 HOTSEAT Bicycle servicing and cycle-related apparel will be offered to H2 members CYCLING STATISTICS In 2005, the Labour government pared to 36 per cent in Copenhagen with cycling a close second – 17.4 per launched the Cycle to Work scheme, it’s and 25 per cent in the Netherlands. cent of respondents said they cycled, up through which employees can save The government wants to change this: 4.1 per cent from 2005. almost half the cost of a bike and the Transport for London aims to boost According to a 2010 Mintel report, equipment needed for cycling to work. London cycling by 400 per cent by 2025. 545,000 daily bicycle journeys were The employer buys the bike from an However, cycling in general is already made in London in 2009, up 9 per cent approved supplier, claims back the VAT increasing in popularity, perhaps in part on the previous year and up for the 17th and deducts the rest, over a period of down to the GB Cycling team’s success year running - a 91 per cent increase time, from the employee’s pay. at the Beijing Olympics. A 2009 TGI sur- since 2000. And a study by Sport Nevertheless, cycling commuting in vey of around 25,000 adults found that England shows 4.46 per cent of the UK London remains low compared to other running was the sport that had shown population cycle at least once a week, European cities: just 3 per cent, com- the strongest growth in popularity, but up from 4.26 per cent in 2008/09. Sandro Morelli will run H2 Ride – Sarah is also education gym area from 10.00am onwards, as we have classes dur- and development manager for Star Trac, responsible for the ing our peak hours of 6.00am–10.00am. Spinning® programme; personal training is offered as ‘H2 powered by Lomax Personal Training’; and Osteon takes Who is the target market? care of the sports massage offering under the banner of H2 We think lots of people who join will already walk, run or Osteon Sports Therapy. cycle to work, but we also think there will be a lot of ‘nudg- ers’ – people who can be encouraged into action. We How much is membership? believe women will be our secret weapon: helmet hair is a It’s our aim to be as honest and transparent with the cus- key reason for women not cycling to work, second only to tomer as possible, so there’s a standard price and no the health and safety aspect of cycling in the city. So we’ve discounts. We offer no contract as standard, but you can provided great vanity areas with lots of hair straighteners. sign for 12 months and achieve a cheaper rate. We’ve People who live or work locally might join just for the gym invested heavily in the membership system and website, so or Spin® classes, and lunchtime joggers could be interested that people can manage their memberships online. These in using the showers and core conditioning equipment. have been developed bespoke for H2 using our own web development company and Ansador for the access con- Who designed the club? trol system. The cheapest monthly membership is £27.99, It was designed by our in-house design team, Urban Reef, which offers bike parking, showers, a locker and use of the with the help of interior design company Creative Switch. ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2010 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 21 HOTSEAT The colour orange was chosen for being positive and “reminiscent of the sunrise” “Unless you’ve had the experience of running or cycling to work, you don’t understand how exhilarating it is, and how you can start the day in such a good frame of mind” The fi t-out specifi cation of the facility is really top-end. Re-educating the consumer has been another challenge. Primarily the aim was to make it feel light, airy and clean. People are happy to pay £3.50 for a pint of lager, but will We wanted to create a luxurious and salubrious environ- quibble about paying £1 a day for a shower and to have ment. Cleanliness is of utmost importance, and we’ve paid somewhere safe for their cycling gear. great attention to how the water drains away, as well as Also, unless you’ve had the experience of running or minimising the corners, so it’s easier to clean. cycling to work, you don’t understand how exhilarating it We chose the colour orange for the brand, because it’s is and how you can start the day in such a good frame of reminiscent of the sunrise and is a positive colour symbolis- mind. Trying to get that across to people has sometimes ing the start of the day. been frustrating. What is the membership capacity? How have you marketed it? We think it’s 2,500, but will close the door if it exceeds With the website, business-to-business marketing and con- what we feel is a comfortable operating level. We’re going sumer marketing. We’re offering a promotion to founder to monitor it, make sure we’re offering a good experience at members whereby their fi rst month’s membership is free. value for money, and create a club we’re proud of and that makes a difference. What are your aims for the next 12 months? To get the second site, at London Wall, up and running. Will you push the ‘green’ angle of We’d also like to get two or three more clubs in the pipeline running or cycling to work? to open next year, also in London. We have a carbon footprint calculator on our website so members can calculate the impact/saving they’re making by What about longer-term aims? cycling or running to work. This is a sustainable way of com- We want to be the solution for running and cycling in cen- muting, and running outdoors as opposed to on a treadmill tral London, and to build a brand that we’re genuinely proud will bring about further energy savings. We estimate that an of: a business that makes exercise fun and accessible and H2 member could reduce their carbon footprint by between commuting a pleasurable experience that’s good for you. fi ve and 10 per cent. The club also uses heat exchangers to transfer heat What about expansion plans? - from air and water leaving the building – back into the Our target is for 10 sites in London. However, although this building. It also has energy-effi cient showers, sustainable is primarily a London business model, we are considering building solutions, and we use recycled water and low car- other cities including Newcastle, Manchester, Brighton and bon energy systems. Leeds. It might be that we have a public sector involvement in other cities. I would like to take it overseas too: New York What’s been the biggest challenge? is high on the list. Everything! There have been a number of technical chal- lenges, such as how to deal with the amount of water we What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? need to heat. Getting the concept to market without having You only ever learn from failure, not your success. Failing a brand or backing of a big company has also been diffi cult. teaches you how to become more successful. ● 22 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2010 CHANGING TIMES? S&P works with you to deliver inspirational environments by solving your procurement demands and establishing new models of service consolidation and partnership working The Edge, University of Leeds Cardiff International Pool K2, Crawley The Peak, Stirling Sports Village DELIVERING INTELLIGENT SOLUTIONS FOR 30 YEARS Architecture t Masterplanning t Consulting t Regeneration tFeasibility Refurbishment t Consultation t Engagement t Procurement Advice Project Management t Planning Sustainability t Value Management LONDON NOTTINGHAM GLAGOW Victory House 9 Weekday Cross Mackintosh House 30 Kingsway The Lace Market 5 Blythswood Square London WC2B 6EX Nottingham NG1 2GB Glasgow G2 4AD +44 (0)20 7831 8877 +44 (0)115 941 5369 +44 (0)141 225 8399 +44 (0)20 7831 4477 FAX +44 (0)115 947 5955 FAX +44 (0)141 225 6271 FAX www.s-parchitects.com [email protected] NEWS Design news Folkestone gets a new-build fi sh restaurant and two leisure parks are planned for Nigeria Project Northumberland House Design Pierce Design International Location London, UK Restored Northumberland House opens The restoration of the Grade II listed Northumberland House near London’s Trafalgar Square is now complete. The historic building, once a 19th century ‘Grand Hotel’ and more latterly inhabited by the MOD, now off ers two lux- ury hotels, a private members business club, banqueting rooms and dining options that include Boyd’s restaurant. Pierce Design International created several of the new spaces, including Boyd’s, which reflects the glory of the former Marble Hall and features spectacular chandeliers. Boyd’s: The space has a black granite bar and antique mirrors The first phase of the project is due to open in late 2013 The yacht village will overlook Abu Dhabi’s corniche skyline Project Delta Leisure Resorts Project Destination Village Design Sarner UK/Sarner PFM (Africa) Design Tourism Development & Investment Company Location Delta State Nigeria Location Abu Dhabi, UAE Leisure resorts planned for Nigeria Abu Dhabi builds village for yacht race Work has begun on the £167.4m Delta Leisure Resorts - an A purpose-built Destination Village is being created on Abu extensive new tourist facility based in the cities of Warri and Dhabi’s corniche to host the Volvo Ocean Race Yachting fleet Asaba in Nigeria’s Delta State. when it stops over for two weeks in the UAE capital at the Sarner UK and Sarner PFM (Africa) are collaborating on end of the year. the design which will cover over 150 hectares in each of the The 55,000sq m site is being overseen by the Tourism west African cities. Development & Investment company and will be used as a The main park in Warri will include a waterpark, selection sailing centre once the stopover has ended. The village will of three to five-star hotels, luxury chalets, casino, golf course, be designed around a maritime theme, and will off er exhibi- sports facilites, spa, historical attractions and retail stores. tions, shows, simulators, hospitality, game zones and retail. 24 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 Project Rocksalt Design Guy Holloway Architects Location Folkestone, Kent, UK Fish off er for Folkestone The new-build Rocksalt restaurant and bar has opened in Folkestone - the first building to be realised in architect Sir Terry Farrell’s masterplan for the Kent resort’s harbour area. Guy Holloway Architects won a national competition to design the building, which features curved exte- rior walls clad in black larch. Large glass sliding doors lead onto a cantilev- ered balcony, giving panoramic views of the sea and fishing boats. Interior walls also have dark larch strips, which contrast with a light marble floor. The 86-cover seafood restaurant is the first venture by former Claridges head chef, Mark Sergeant. The seafood restaurant will benefit from Folkestone’s working fishing fleet Designer/contractor partnerships are recognised by the awards The centre’s design references the area’s industrial heritage Project 21 Social Project Ravenscraig Sports Centre Design Soon Interiors/Marcon Fitout Design Populous Location Belfast, Northern Ireland Location North Lanarkshire, Scotland National design award for Belfast venue Praise for Lanarkshire leisure design Belfast-based Soon Interiors and shopfitters Marcon Fitout Ravenscraig Sports Centre has been highly commended in have won the NAS Design Partnership Award 2011 in the lei- the RICS Scotland Award’s Community Benefit category. sure category for their work on 21 Social - a boutique bar and The new facility, which sits on a former industrial site, restaurant in the city’s Cathedral quarter. was designed by architects Populous on behalf of North The venue is spread over three floors - one level featuring Lanarkshire Council, SportScotland and Ravenscraig Ltd. oak and marble, and another featuring leather booths to give Principal of Populous, John Barrow, described it is a “bea- the feel of a 1920s speakeasy. Central to the whole design is a con building” designed to serve both elite athletes and the pink glass wrap-around staircase. Judges said of the interior: whole community. The site will be one of the training bases “No surface has been denied a touch of glamour.” for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. ● ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 25 ARCHITECT’S FOCUS BENNETT’S ASSOCIATES An epic six-year process has transformed the home of the Royal Shakespeare Company into a contemporary theatre attraction that recently scooped a RIBA award. Director Simon Erridge talks to Julie Cramer about the project PHOTOS: © PETER COOK The new auditorium fits within the original shell (left) while the tower (right) introduces a new element to the familiar 1930s facade How did you get involved with the RSC project? How did you fuse the old with the new? We had just finished work on the Hampstead Theatre in The theatre was designed by Elizabeth Scott in 1932 and London and it was a last-minute decision to enter the RSC’s was Grade II* listed, which inevitably meant there were competition to redevelop their Stratford-Upon-Avon site. We restrictions with what we could change. However, the RSC were shortlisted in 2004 and there was a rigorous series of had already forged a good relationship with English Heritage workshops as part of the selection process. The RSC knew and there was an agreement in principal that the site it was going to be a long build process and wanted to find a required a major intervention in order to enable it to per- firm they would be very comfortable with. It helped to create form as a contemporary theatre site. a strong working partnership from the outset. From the 1930s to the 1970s, the auditorium has already been remodelled many times, and much of the original fab- What was your brief? ric of the space has been either tinkered with or ripped out, To retain the character and essence of the original 1930s so that made it easier to start again. building, but to also create a contemporary theatre space However some areas were sacrosanct – like the origi- and public areas that would attract a newer, younger audi- nal Art Deco foyers which featured some highly-crafted and ence, as well as the many national and international ornate architectural details. These elements, including the tourists who flock to the town each year. Fountain staircase, have been carefully preserved in the The RSC theatre is an iconic building recognised around new design. the world and there is a very loyal, core audience of theatre- goers who had strong views about the site. We also had to Where did the inspiration for the tower come from? consider how the new design would help create a new rela- We came up with the idea of a 36m-high (118ft) glass and tionship with this small market town. brick tower because we wanted to introduce a clear, new element to the site to draw visitors. The theatre was already What were the main design elements? a dominant feature in the town – like a cathedral – so there The Royal Shakespeare Company wanted to reduce the was never really an issue in introducing a tall structure. capacity of its main auditorium from 1,400 to 1,000 seats, It was partly inspired by an original tower on the site that making sure all new seats offered the highest quality thea- was gutted by a fire in 1926. It may also be likened to an tre-going experience. Italian-style tower you might expect to see in the landscape Around this, we needed to create a true visitor experience of Shakespeare’s ‘Two Gentleman of Verona’. that would be open from early morning to late evening, with Practically, it connects all the auditorium levels and acts a new restaurant, shop, exhibition areas and communal as a main circulation space between floors. On top is a spaces, plus improved facilities for the actors. watchtower, with floor-to-ceiling glass walls on four sides 26 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 ROYAL SHAKESPEARE THEATRE, STRATFORD-UPON-AVON The auditorium has reduced seating and actors play on a thrust stage, allowing theatre-goers to be much closer to the action RSC CELEBRATES HALF A CENTURY ■ Folio - an exhibition of print-making by artists from the Royal College of Art celebrating the past 50 years (Apr-Oct) In April 2011, the RSC celebrated 50 years at the RST in ■ A History of the RSC in 50 Objects – key items from the RSC’s Stratford and is marking the anniversary with a series of events history will be on show in the theatre buildings (Apr-Dec) through the year. The first RSC production in the new theatre ■ Sweet Celebrations – Artist Shane Waltener was Macbeth, directed by Michael Boyd. Other events include: transforms the Swan Room into a large birthday ■ A series of readings from key plays commissioned by the cake using sugar decorations - engaging the public in RSC over the last 50 years, including Bond and Pinter designing and making the installation (Apr-Jul) giving panoramic views of Stratford-upon-Avon, including It now works as a 3D space with diagonal walkways allow- Shakespeare’s birthplace, school and where he is buried. ing actors to enter from all corners - the type of theatre Tower-top visitors are clearly visible on the ground which cre- performance space that Shakespeare himself would have ates even more demand – it’s a destination in its own right. been used to. What aspects of the design are you most proud of? What challenges did you face with the project? We are pleased with the way the whole building has been The auditorium was a challenge but as the RSC had already received, but above all are delighted with the new audito- built a temporary theatre nearby for performances to con- rium, which was one of the most challenging aspects of the tinue we had a perfect live test bed for experimentation. So design. The old theatre witnessed many acclaimed perform- our final auditorium space was about version 49! ances but was not user-friendly, with some people up to 27 The new auditorium also accommodated much more sce- metres from the action. nic and technical capability – so this involved digging out a The new auditorium dispenses with the proscenium arch basement area 7m deep right next to the River Avon, which and creates a thrust stage surrounded on three sides by was quite a tricky technical feat for the contractors. three tiers of narrow balconies. It puts the actors in the cen- tre and ensures no member of the audience is more than What eco-principles did you apply to the design? 15 metres from the action. Acoustics and sightlines are We have recycled all the best features of the old theatre. vastly improved. For example original teak boards from the old stage have ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 27 ARCHITECT’S FOCUS ROYAL SHAKESPEARE THEATRE, STRATFORD-UPON-AVON TRANSFORMING THE RST The RST was recognised with a prestigious RIBA award in May 2011. The new facility first opened its doors in late November 2010 – on time, and slightly under its £57m budget. The project team were: ■ Client - Royal Shakespeare Company ■ Architect - Bennetts Associates ■ Theatre Consultant - Charcoalblue ■ Engineer & Transport Consultants - Buro Happold ■ Construction Management - Mace ■ Acoustic Consultant - Acoustic Dimensions ■ Project Management & Strategic Planning Advisors - Drivers Jonas Deloitte ■ Quantity Surveyor & Planning Supervisors - Gardiner & Theobald The theatre’s new top floor restaurant space RSC/HAYES DAVISON offers diners views over the River Avon been laid in the public areas so people can walk in the footsteps of Lord Olivier and Vivien Leigh. There were also some amazing marquetry doors – one is now the quirky entrance to a cleaning cupboard, while others have been used as decorative back panels in the bar. In most new-build areas we used com- posite timber floor slabs which are both lightweight and low in embodied carbon, thus avoiding the need to reinforce exist- ing foundations. As the building is a mixture of old and new structures we have over-specified the insulating properties of the new materi- als to make up the shortcomings of the existing fabric. There is a plant in place to service a ground source heat system The RST scheme: New components blend sympathetically with the old in the neighbouring gardens, subject to it being approved by planning. THEATRE ADDITIONS ■ Three lifts, two platform lifts for How has the theatre been disabled access, and new toilet facilities received in the local area? NEW FACILITIES INCLUDE: ■ An exhibition space adjacent People have been very involved from the ■ A 1040-seat thrust stage auditorium to the Upper Circle Bar start with the RSC leading a robust public ■ A 7m deep stage basement, ■ A new foyer for the Royal consultation process and open days – so allowing actors, scenery and props Shakespeare and Swan Theatres that people have been on board all the way. to rise from beneath the stage links the two theatres together for the One side of the theatre used to be ■ 15 new dressing rooms with first time and houses the box office, called the Jam Factory by locals because balconies overlooking the River Avon. ticket collection machines and shop. of its unappealing facade. But with a radi- ■ Four theatre bars, riverside café ■ New outdoor space for year- cal facelift, new entrances, public areas and terrace, and rooftop restaurant round events and entertainment and outdoor performance spaces, the the- atre no longer turns its back on the town. The demolition of the old restaurant has down to the large open public foyers and courtyards. And at favoured the public, as this allows for a continuous river- the same time the design pays respect to what RSC director side walk which was previously blocked. The new restaurant Michael Boyd calls “the ghosts of the past”. For example, occupies the space where the cheap school party seats part of the wall of the old auditorium is now free-stranding once were, far from the action. Now there are river views. in the middle of the new restaurant – a ruin from the past that is now a striking design feature. Why does the design work? And the new auditorium has been hailed as “the best It works because it welcomes everyone to the space, from place in the world to see Shakespeare” – which is exactly the very top of the tower through connecting glass bridges how it should be. ● 28 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 INTERVIEW Simon Naudi Corinthia Hotel London is the latest offering in the capital’s fi ve-star market. The group’s director tells Julie Cramer how the fl agship site will shape the Maltese company’s global expansion or a brief spell in an earlier that has fl ourished in fl edgling markets ment’s investment arm before moving to career, Simon Naudi’s job and is now poised to take its place on Corinthia, where he has spent most of took him to war zones, and the wider international stage. his working life. allowed him to meet famous With the spring 2011 opening of the fi gures such as George £305m Corinthia Hotel London – the LIBYA LINK BushF Senior, President Gorbachev and company’s fi rst fl agship hotel in a major The London opening, however, has not the Pope. “I was a young man working western European capital outside Malta been without its hitches. One inves- as a journalist for the Times of Malta – Naudi knows the eyes of the hotel tor in the Corinthia group is the Libyan and because it was such a small island world will be upon them. Foreign Investment Company (Lfico) you got to meet everyone,” he says. “Until now we have mainly sought which is owned by the Libyan govern- More than two decades on, Naudi’s out opportunities in emerging markets ment and has been a non-controlling passion is now fi ve-star hotels – and his and our brand is very well regarded in shareholder in Corinthia since 1974, task is to take a fl avour of Malta out countries like Russia, Hungary and the now owning a third of its holding com- into the world. For the past 15 years Czech Republic. But London will give us pany, International Hotel Investments he has been at the right-hand of Alfred a different platform of visibility – it will (IHI). There are 3,100 other sharehold- Pisani, the creator of Corinthia Hotels put us on the global map,” says Naudi, ers including the founding Pisani family, – a family-founded Maltese hotel group who went from journalism to the govern- who still control and run the business, and Istithmar Hotels of Dubai. With Libya in turmoil and the Gaddafi regime subject to economic sanc- tions, there was press speculation that Corinthia London would not be able to open because of its investment links. Prior to the launch, the company says it obtained all necessary approvals from the UK Treasury to continue trading nor- mally and to reassure its customers. Corinthia issued a statement saying the running of its business will not be affected as it does “not involve mak- ing available any funds to a designated entity prohibited by sanctions”. Naudi says simply: “We do not get involved in politics, we are hotel operators.” He adds that the company’s hotel in Tripoli (opened in 2003) is currently semi-operational and mostly accommo- dating foreign journalists. “It was very important for us to keep the hotel going for the sake of our staff,” he says. There will no doubt be high hopes for the performance of Corinthia’s London site. It is a lavish renovation of a former 19th century ‘grand hotel’ (Hotel Metropole), which had been occupied The Corinthia building had been occupied by the MoD since the 1930s for the past 80 years by the Ministry 30 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2010 © cybertrek 2011 Fine dining: The hotel’s lavishly decorated seafood restaurant is operated by the Italian chef/patron Massimo Riccioli of Defence. The location is also envia- a small Mediterranean island. “We are CORINTHIA PORTFOLIO ble, with sweeping views over the River always on the look out for a good deal. Thames and a stone’s throw from the Corinthia has three luxury facilities We buy for ‘one’, spend another ‘one’, bustle of Trafalgar Square. in Malta – its original Palace Hotel & and want a site to be worth not two but The five-star hotel has 294 guest Spa, St George’s Bay, and the Marina three, even before we start,” he says. rooms (the original had around 500 Hotel. There are also hotels in St As Corinthia expands more into rooms), including 43 suites. The reduced Petersburg, Budapest, Tripoli, Lisbon western economies – with Paris and accommodation means room sizes aver- and Prague. The Corinthia Taormina New York next on the hit list – Naudi age a spacious 45 sq m, among the Golf Resort in Sicily opens in 2012. acknowledges such deals will be rarer, largest in London’s luxury hotel cat- and the company’s focus must change egory. Corinthia Hotel London also as a result. “In the early days Mr Pisani houses a 3300sq m flagship spa from bids proposed mixed-use schemes, followed the real estate opportunities ESPA, meeting spaces, restored ball- Corinthia perhaps surprised with its plan – such as in central Europe or Russia – room and two signature restaurants. to develop the whole site as a hotel, and and our brand followed the real estate. 12 exclusive residential apartments. As we grow, we are becoming more GLOBAL INTEREST “From a planning perspective we were brand driven to drive occupancies and Naudi is particularly pleased with the the least controversial and our track especially to drive the rate,” he says. London acquisition, given that the com- record over the years spoke of an effec- The company’s expansion may well be pany fought off stiff global competition tive development organisation. We won aided by the fact that it has three strong to get it. When the Crown Estate put out the bid and got though planning in just divisions – for hotel investment, devel- a tender for the building – which had 10 weeks, which is virtually unheard of opment and operations. IHI (of which been used by the MoD since the 1930s in the commercial world,” says Naudi. Naudi is an executive board member) – it attracted 29 bids from some of the “Corinthia London is an extraordinary is the investment arm, which went pub- biggest developers around the world. achievement in terms of how we bought lic in Malta in 2000 (there are plans to “It wasn’t just a question of writing it, what we bought it for and how we be listed on the London Stock Exchange down a number – the site came with have developed it in terms of its rela- in the near future). CHI Ltd is IHI’s oper- certain planning requirements and we tive value in the market.” ational arm for Corinthia in partnership had to present very detailed architec- The pursuit of a good deal is clearly with Wyndham Hotels in the US, and tural information,” says Naudi. close to Corinthia’s heart, and seems to IHI also has a shareholding in Quality Of the 42,000sq m, 16,000sq m had have informed the company’s site acqui- Project Management Ltd which manages to be for hotel development. While other sitions policy as it branched out from the facility development. ISSUE 3 2010 © cybertrek 2011 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 31 INTERVIEW INSIDE CORINTHIA LONDON Corinthia wanted the restaurants at its stars at three previous establishments, ated with Anglo-Italian conductor Paolo new London hotel “to have soul”, says where the focus is on artisanal produce Mantovani, who performed with his Naudi. Seafood restaurant Massimo and provenance. popular orchestra in the hotel’s grand Restaurant and Oyster bar, is headed Corinthia’s interior has a subtle mod- ballroom. A musical theme has been by Italian chef/patron Massimo Riccioli ern colour palette that includes browns, applied to the décor in the Bassoon bar, (Corinthia’s Alfred Pisani used to dine at soft greens and mauves. It is a mix of designed by David Collins Studio, which his celebrated restaurant when in Rome). understated elegance with flashes of opu- has a dark, cosy atmosphere. At Corinthia London, Massimo also has lence, such as the unmissable Full Moon Tucked high in the original turrets of a private dining room with open kitchen chandelier in the main Lobby Lounge – a this Belle Epoque building are seven, where he entertains small groups. space created by GA Design. two-storey hotel suites with lofty interi- The British-inspired restaurant is run by As the fashionable Hotel Metropole ors and terraces with spectacular views chef Garry Hollihead, winner of Michelin (1880s-1930s) the site became associ- of key London landmarks. DESIGN DETAILS ers Based Upon were commissioned to The hotel is home to several ‘firsts’ With this formidable skillset, the flag- make a 9sq m bronze artwork of the – mostly notably the launch of spa oper- ship Corinthia London has been rather Thames, and bronze elevator doors. ator ESPA’s new brand, ESPA Life, which impressively developed in a little over Another unavoidable talking point is is a holistic wellness facility, offering two years. Working through the reces- the extravagant Full Moon chandelier in naturopathic treatments, acupuncture, sion has had some advantages, says the main lobby comprising 1001 crys- osteopathy and functional medicine Naudi, as the company has had pref- tal baubles, created by French designer alongside regular spa and offers. erential access to some top craftsmen Chafik Gasmi and made by Baccarat. At “We knew the spa had to be very spe- and designers at short notice. two-tonnes, hotel designers had to add cial,” says Naudi, who seems delighted Bespoke pieces are a hallmark of a new glass atrium to accommodate it, with their choice of ESPA as partners. Corinthia properties. In London, design- and Naudi declines to disclose its cost. “We were very impressed, not only with their knowledge of how to create a five- star spa, but also how to make that spa work as a business.” Another luxury brand, Harrod’s, will open its very first hotel retail space at Corinthia London. The hotel’s 12 ‘Sky Mansion’ apart- ments have yet to be finished, but will be the height of super-chic design, some occupying well over 1,200sq m of space with views of Westminster and the London Eye. Each residence has a private lift that links to the hotel’s own service area, private access to the spa and underground car-parking. When finished, they will not be widely marketed – rather Corinthia will focus on identifying the most suitable buy- ers. With suggested values at the top of the market in London, it is no won- der Naudi is beaming about Corinthia’s £305m overall investment. The quest for design quality and crafts- manship seems to be at the core of Corinthia’s philosophy, and this seems to emanate from the company’s founder Alfred Pisani who still plays a very hands-on role in the company today. “Everybody in the company has met the chairman and had a conversation with him. He is a very inspirational char- acter who built his business from a very small island with little money and lim- Glory days: The ballroom pays homage to its ‘Grand Hotel’ past ited human resources,” says Naudi. 32 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2010 © cybertrek 2011 Corinthia’s standard hotel rooms are said to be among the largest in London, and bathrooms are fitted with Carrera marble from Italy As a young man in the 60s, an inexpe- ESPA LIFE AT CORINTHIA rienced but passionate Pisani obtained one of the government loans being Corinthia Hotel London sees the launch of much more emphasis placed on “inte- offered to promote development on the ESPA’s new flagship wellness brand – ESPA grated wellness”. The ESPA Life concept small island, which had recently gained Life. Styled by ESPA and GA Design in a has been three years in development, and independence from Britain. But he ‘Chanel’ colour palette of mainly blacks tailored programmes will draw on the skills couldn’t find anyone to build his hotel, and creams, the 3,300sq m facility has of naturopaths, nutritionists, acupunctur- so he became the builder himself. been spread dramatically over four floors. ists, physiotherapists and osteopaths. These early, perhaps reluctant steps Facilities include an extensive heat treat- ESPA founder and CEO Susan Harmsworth into hotel construction have now trans- ment/wet area, 15 treatment pods, a 9m says: “The main thing…was choosing ther- formed into a fully fledged business arm steel swimming pool, gym, Daniel Galvin apies that are proven to work. Efficacy is for Corinthia, that makes for top quality hair salon, and a trendy all-white spa hugely important and we’ll be recording interiors at competitive prices. lounge serving nutritional cuisine. results through functional medicine testing.” The £20m facility will offer all the usual For more in-depth detail on ESPA Life, go ‘SPIRIT OF CORINTHIA’ luxury spa and beauty offerings, but with to www.spabusiness.com/digital Naudi says that because the com- pany has evolved as a tight-knit, family inspired business, everybody feels a tries. “As much as we put importance on the company will just be the operator, strong sense of ownership. the size of hotel bedrooms and quality not the investor. Naudi believes that as “I love the way I can be involved in of bathrooms – the human side of hotel- Corinthia becomes known for its multi- every aspect of hotel creation, from iering has to remain the most important skill, more of these ventures will follow. the purchasing of the site right through part of our business,’ says Naudi. He is also confident the expanding to deciding how breakfast is laid out. I The company has taken half a century company will retain its Maltese charm. could even tell you the price of that chair to expand its portfolio to nine Corinthia “I think we have the best of all cultures – [he points to a meeting room chair] branded luxury facilities and several the warmth of the Mediterranean people, because we have sat down and had a non-branded hotels. Naudi says growth, structure inherited from the British and discussion about it,” says Naudi. which will focus mainly on the Corinthia the trading instincts of the Arabs.” He acknowledges that the challenge brand, will be measured, and “no-one is Corinthia appears to uphold these val- will be to keep and engender that feeling pushing us to open 100 hotels”. ues in its company culture, and in the of pride and “spirit of Corinthia” among A new golf resort being built in Sicily competitive world of hotels, they sound all hotel staff as they open in new coun- will be the first Corinthia hotel where like a recipe for success. ● ISSUE 3 2010 © cybertrek 2011 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 33 TOP TEAM LOCAL LUXURY Bargain prices and a strong local following have ensured that a public sector spa in a deprived area is enjoying great success. Three of the team involved in Inside Spa tell Julie Cramer how the concept has grown s one of England’s most petitively low to make deprived areas, Pendle the facility accessible to A in Lancashire has more lower income groups. than its fair share of The public response socio-economic challenges, including has been so great that widespread health inequalities, inferior Pendle Leisure Trust housing, high unemployment and low has just spearheaded educational attainment. a £220,000 spa exten- It may not be an obvious choice as sion to meet customer the place to open a high quality spa demand. The expansion, aimed at attracting a wide range of resi- which opened In March dents. Yet this was the ambitious vision 2011, includes four new Individual footbaths feature in the extensive wet area of Pendle leisure chiefs and in July treatment rooms which 2007 the Inside Spa and fitness com- replace a former meeting room at the income of £245,000, which rose by plex opened at the Pendle Wavelengths leisure centre, relaxation room, new 28 per cent in the following year to leisure centre in Nelson with £1m of manicure and pedicure bays in the £315,000. From April 2010 to March Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) fund- reception and increased seating areas. 2011 revenues grew at a slower rate ing from Pendle Council and £2m from The additions build on the existing of 9 per cent, achieving £344,000. operational partners Alliance Leisure. facilities which consist of a sauna and The Trust puts this slower growth down From the outset, the facility was steam room, salt inhalation, sanarium, to the overall economic climate but is marketed as “a luxury experience at aromatherapy room, hydrotherapy confident that its new expansion will pocket money prices” with a two-hour pool, monsoon shower, ice fountain continue to attract new customers and spa experience including lunch priced and rasul mud bath. drive business well into the future. at just £22.50 and aromatherapy mas- Spa revenues have shown healthy Here three key players in Inside sages starting at £25. As business growth. From April 2008 to March Spa’s success discuss their role in the has grown, prices have been kept com- 2009, Inside Spa generated an progression of the project. Housed behind a traditional leisure centre facade, Inside Spa says first-time clients are often surprised by the quality of facilities on offer 34 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 Demand for the spa has grown year on year, and extended facilities were much needed Inside Spa provides a very good business model, which in turn is helping to reduce the overall leisure costs in Pendle As chief executive of the not- What lessons have you learned? for-profi t Pendle Leisure Trust, Inside Spa has shown that top Phil Storey worked with Alliance quality facilities and services of Leisure to create the spa. Phil Storey this type are not the prerogative of Chief executive more affl uent areas. With a dedi- Why have you decided Pendle Leisure Trust cated management team, creative to expand the spa? marketing, partner support and The Trust sees Inside Spa as an community endorsement there is investment opportunity and wants How did you create the business no reason why these facilities should to maximise its potential as both a model for Inside Spa? not be able to fl ourish. local and regional facility of note. The concept came about as part of The spa now attracts customers Throughout 2010 demand for Inside the extension of Pendle Wavelengths from 50 miles away, from across the Spa services rose to a level that indi- leisure pool with both the Trust and North West - as a result of our market- cated the need for capital investment Pendle Council deciding to move away ing strategy and also word of mouth. to extend the facilities, which were from building a traditional sports hall This in turn has had additional benefi ts completed in March 2011. The spa is facility and opting instead for a spa for the local economy and tourism as now in its fourth year of operation and and fi tness complex to rival anything people explore the Pendle area. the demand is incredible. the private sector could offer. Stress is a major health concern in the area, so What about future plans? How would you describe your a holistic spa helped meet this need. Nelson is undergoing a programme achievement so far? of regeneration after years of under The Trust’s efforts are unique in that What challenges have you faced? investment and stagnation. Inside Spa the spa brings something to the public Getting people to believe that any- has a strategic role to play within this that is normally a private sector ven- thing so good could exist Nelson was regeneration, and within the health ture, and specifi cally targets people a challenge, and lots of people were agenda locally and nationally. from a wider variety of backgrounds. unsure about what we meant by a spa! Inside Spa provides a very good The management and therapy team Some had experienced one on holiday, business model, which in turn is help- have established a community asset but it wasn’t a regular activity of most ing to reduce the overall costs of that not only caters for Pendle but also Pendle residents. So the initial chal- leisure in Pendle. We are now consid- attracts customers from beyond the lenge was getting people to see the ering taking the brand to neighbouring borough – a notable achievement given facility at fi rst hand, and having done boroughs and setting up satellite treat- that the facility is in a deprived ward. so they were converted. ment rooms in other facilities. ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 35 TOP TEAM Indentifying Pendle's by Experian – a demographic ■ Industrial Heritage (16 per ■ Spa customers living within demographic profi ling system to generate a cent) - families and couples 10 miles of the facility – 76 detailed profi le of prospective who own affordable older-style per cent SRB funding required Inside customers. From a sample total housing in communities that ■ Clients are 77 per cent Spa to target traditionally of 22,000 customers it identi- have historically been depend- female, 23 per cent male hard-to-reach groups such as fi ed the three largest groups as: ent on manufacturing low earners and ethnic minor- Mosaic age profi les: ity groups and tailor pricing ■ Terraced Melting Pot (23 ■ Suburban Mindsets (13 Under 20s - 3 per cent and marketing strategies to be per cent) - lower income work- per cent) - maturing families 20-30 year-olds – 30 per cent more inclusive to those users. ers, mostly young, living in on mid-range incomes living 30-40 year-olds – 24 per cent Leisure chiefs used the tightly-packed inner urban ter- a moderate lifestyle in subur- 40-50 year-olds - 20 per cent Mosaic Segmentation System races, in areas of high diversity ban semis. Over 50s – 23 per cent Promoting the spa has been the hardest challenge given its location, but once people have tried the facility they tend to be loyal customers Beverley Hinnigan was a senior VIP actresses attend in the past therapist when Inside Spa and our local football team Burnley launched in 2007 and since attend on a regular basis. March 2010 has headed up Beverley Hinnigan the team as spa manager. Spa manager What makes the spa stand Inside Spa out from other facilities? Can you describe your We offer affordable prices but our role at Inside Spa? main USP is the friendliness and My role is to ensure that the customer see how far the spa has come from professionalism of all our staff. The experience is nothing short of a private the early days. facilities and therapists are the main spa standard. I manage a team of 15 reasons why clients keep coming back. therapists and three senior therapists What are the day-to-day We are looking to increase staffi ng who work to ensure a consistently high challenges of the facility? hours to meet current demand. standard is met at all times. Promoting the spa has been the hardest challenge given its location. What can clients expect? How have you been involved However once people have tried the We provide a towel and robe and those with the expansion? facility they tend to be loyal customers having treatments get a reward card. I was able to assist with decisions on who use it on a regular basis. We now They receive a free back neck and the design, décor, equipment and fur- have people travelling from all over shoulder massage or express facial niture for our new treatment rooms, Manchester, Birmingham and even as after six visits. New clients are given relaxation room, juice bar and nail and far as Scotland to use our facility. a spa induction and full tour. They can pedicure bays. It is so motivational to We have been known to have a few use the relaxation room before being collected by their therapist. We have a full range of luxury offers, including Decleor face and body treat- ments, Jessica Manicures, Geleration nails, refl exology, Indian head mas- sage, St Tropez tan, teeth whitening and treatments for teen skin. What are your plans for the spa? To keep up to date with new treat- ments and innovations. We are considering offering body and facial electrical treatments, and want to ensure all spa facilities work at full capacity every day. We plan to achieve and exceed fi nancial targets, and with the support from management and my loyal and ambitious team I am confi - dent business will grow day by day. 36 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 Beautifully Saunas, Steam Rooms & Spa’s DALESAUNA WELL BEING, WELL DESIGNED, WELL LOOKED AFTER DALESAUNAEXPRESS “Service cover from only NEW! 24HR CALL OUT SERVICE £8.00 per month… ” t: +44 (0) 1423 798630 f: +44 (0) 1423 798670 e: [email protected] www.dalesauna.co.uk TOP TEAM New manicure bays (below left) were included in the new extension to meet demand, and elsewhere the fi t-out is of a private spa standard The lesson is that spas can be for the public sector. We can do it well and create facilities that compete in quality while remaining accessible Sarah Watts is the managing make it work anywhere". director of Alliance Leisure The biggest challenge was edu- and a key player in the cating local people that this type of development of Inside Spa. Sarah Watts facility was for them, not just the Managing director rich and famous - and it actually What does your position at Alliance Leisure existed on their doorstep, not just Alliance Leisure involve? in a brochure. Part of my role is to work with our However, the usage levels and local authority and trust partners to How would you describe the concept? revenue generation have far exceeded develop and deliver new concepts and The model is very simple - great serv- expectations. It shows that a well- innovation within the public sector lei- ice and facilities at affordable prices. priced, accessible spa can work in sure market. This is the most exciting We wanted it to be used regularly – every community. element of my role is creating new and and not to be seen as a day spa just different facilities that deliver on both for birthdays and Mother’s Day. What can other leisure operators social and commercial objectives. Along with the other areas of the can learn from your experience? original development such as the fi t- The lesson that is that spas CAN be What has been your involvement ness studios, we have transformed a for the public sector, we can do it well in the spa project? dated standalone leisure pool into a and can create facilities that compete Alliance Leisure's role was working family focused leisure facility. The way in quality while remaining accessible. with Phil Storey on the initial spa con- the community has embraced it has cept, supporting the non-user research been remarkable. What about future plans? and identifying the affordability of the Alliance Leisure are currently build- project. We also funded and built the Did you have any doubts at ing two further facilities in Thanet and original development under contract to the outset of the project? Flintshire, and these are purely the Pendle Leisure Trust and are the oper- At the start, I did say to Phil Storey: "If result of the confi dence created by the ational partners. we can make it work in Nelson, we can success of Pendle. ● 38 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 Drive efficiency & maximise sustainability with Alliance Leisure Do you want to… Through working with Alliance Leisure, our team of experts will Ÿ Enhance and improve base the development plan on your current leisure the following: provision? Ÿ a comprehensive evaluation Ÿ Reduce subsidy? of the existing provision Ÿ physical site constraints and Ÿ Create revenue positive opportunities, leisure facilities? Ÿ report on latent demand, Ÿ Cater for the diverse Ÿ analysis of other private leisure needs of your leisure facilities in the locality local community? to gauge competition, Ÿ development of concept and business plans for new Alliance Leisure offers a fully developments (including full funded, sustainable solution to assessment of capital costs redeveloping your ageing and and profiled income costly facilities by creating new, projection), exciting and thriving active leisure provision. Ÿ finalise (and fix) development cost, provide capital funding The future of leisure will be and deliver the scheme. shaped by innovative creations including spa and wellness The foundations of each centres, swimming pools, ten pin development plan are set in bowling alleys, extreme sporting economic sustainability, arenas and high ropes courses, maximising the project's long in addition to well established term success. commercial ventures such as all Invest to save with Alliance weather football pitches and Leisure. For more details fitness suites. Alliance Leisure contacts us on 01278 444 944 holds a dynamic leisure portfolio or [email protected] of the above. Alliance Leisure, 24 Angel Crescent, Bridgwater, Somerset. TA6 3EW t : 01278 444944, e: [email protected] PUBLIC SECTOR UNLOCKING THE PORTAL ‘Procurement e-portals’ are designed to be a time-effi cient way of matching local authority projects with the right suppliers. The concept sounds straightforward, but in reality the process is far from satisfactory, says Capita Symonds’ Chris Marriott ocal authorities really seem reduced. If they won’t speak to us, to fi nd a solution from somewhere else to be embracing ‘procurement the suspicion will be that the coun- – it’s because they do not have the e-portals’ – I read somewhere cil already has a supplier lined up expertise in-house. An early dialogue that they provide a simple, and they are just going through the with external specialists can save a lot secureL and effi cient means for manag- motions, to appear to be a running a of time and (taxpayers’) money. Some ing tendering activities, reducing the competitive tendering process. If this councils seem to think that once they time and effort required for both buy- is not the case (and we would hope have written the brief and advertised ers and suppliers. it’s not) the council needs to dem- the opportunity to the market, it’s too A local authority uses an online por- onstrate that it’s not – making itself late to change it – but it’s not. You can tal to advertise an opportunity to the available to speak to potential suppli- always change direction if it becomes market – such as a feasibility study for ers to start a proper conversation. clear that it’s the right thing to do. a new leisure centre. Potential suppli- Of course, as suppliers we have As a potential supplier to councils ers who are signed up to the portal can to speak to the right person – the (typically of leisure-related advice), express an interest in the opportunity owner of the project. That is the per- perhaps the single most frustrating and read the procurement brief. thing about responding to a coun- Excellent concept, but how do cil’s brief is the uncertainty around they work in practice? Well, tech- how much time and support the cli- nically speaking they are fairly “Councils rarely tell suppliers ent actually needs. This informs intuitive and easy to use. In almost how much support they are how we price it. Councils rarely, if every other respect, they work very ever, tell suppliers how much sup- badly indeed. likely to need, and certainly port they are likely to need and The problem lies in the fact that never give any indication of they certainly never give away any they tend to be used not as a por- indication of their budget. This is tal at all. My dictionary defi nes their budget. This is misguided misguided and counter-productive. a portal as an entrance or door- and counter-productive” When you’re looking to buy a way leading into something, which new car, you would not put out an would suggest that we can pass ad to all local dealers saying: “Car through it. Unfortunately, in the required. Dealers should deliver a case of far too many local author- son within the local authority who will car to my house…then I’ll make up my ity portals, despite having a welcome be taking responsibility for the project mind which one I want.” You’d give a banner over the doorway, the door is over the coming months, to whom we clue about your budget, without reveal- usually fi rmly closed – guarded by a as leisure consultants will be report- ing what’s been set aside. procurement offi cer gatekeeper who ing. It can’t all be contained in the If you didn’t tell the dealers that peers suspiciously through the spy- project brief – there will be crucial you actually wanted a new estate car, hole at anyone outside ringing the bell. pieces of information and parts of you shouldn’t be disappointed when When considering bidding through the story that can only be prised out a Porsche, Volvo Estate and fair- a portal, if we as a fi rm don’t already through proper debate. Some of these ground dodgem all arrive on the drive. know the client, we ask ourselves the missing pieces are important to help You may have a choice of three, but question: will they speak to us before us create an appropriate proposition. there’s only one you could seriously we submit a proposal? If the answer is The project owner should seize con- consider. This sort of thing happens all no, we tend not to bid, and we would trol from procurement offi cers, who the time in public procurement and is guess our counterparts in competing have no ownership of the project one of its most serious failings, partic- organisations would do the same. and often little knowledge of it. If the ularly in the leisure advisory market. The problem for the council is that project goes wrong due to bad advice, Portals are doing nothing to help this leads to a situation where they the project owner is held accountable, correct this or other public procure- are likely to have very few good qual- not the procurement offi cer. ment failings. Please open your doors ity suppliers to choose from and their There is a reason why a council (or and let us in – you can always ask us prospects of achieving best value are any organisation come to that) decides to leave again. ● 40 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 LEISURE INDUSTRY WEEK 20-22 September 2011 · NEC Birmingham LIW provides an exclusive platform for industry professionals to meet and source products from over 350 suppliers and service providers from across the Leisure Industry. Attracting 9580* trade visitors in 2010, LIW provides visitors with over 150 hours of education at our most extensive seminar programme to date, the opportunity to see the latest developments in action and watch live product demonstrations. Connect with the leisure community and join us at LIW for 2011. NEW exhibitors confi rmed include: powerPerfector, Russell Leisure, Amazon Leisure UK, Waveloch, MyZone, Subway, Red Bull, Bel Uk and so much more… Register your interest in attending today at www.liw.co.uk/register *ABC audited www.liw.co.uk BIG ambitions SCALING NEW HEIGHTS A sleepy little ski resort favoured by the Swiss Army for training is set for a grand scale redevelopment, to create a year- round destination with high environment credentials. Kath Hudson reports et in the beautiful Usern include a mix of accommodation, Valley, at the intersection from two and three-star hotels, up to of three mountain passes, a fl agship fi ve star hotel. The original Andermatt has managed village will remain, but 1.45 million to remain something of a sq m of adjacent land will be devel- Ssecret. The town used to be reliant on oped. Gerard Jenni, managing director the Swiss Army, but following cutbacks of Andermatt Swiss Alps, the local to the armed forces, hotel trade has subsidiary of ODH, says the vision is fallen off and the resort has suffered to create a sustainable, eco-friendly as a result. resort, with a mix of modern and tradi- This looks set to change, now this tional architecture. untouched area has caught the eye of Samih Sawiris, chair and CEO of OUT OF HIBERNATION Orascom Development Holdings, who The skiing infrastructure will be plans to add a ski resort to his grow- improved, linking it to the neighbour- ing empire of developments. ODH ing area of Sedrun to provide 130km purchased the land in 2009, after of skiable piste. Although at 1300m, being granted exemption from Lex the resort is high enough to have relia- Koller Federal Law regulations, relating ble snowfall, recent seasons in Europe to the restriction of non-residents own- has shown the need for ski resorts to ing land in Switzerland. become perennial destinations. With Samih Sawiris is chair and CEO of Building work is already underway this in mind, other leisure facilities are Orascom, Andermatt's developer and the fi rst elements are slated to being added, including a sports centre open in 2013. The plans for Andermatt and an 18-hole golf course. 42 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 An apartment interior (above left) and the beautiful Usern valley as it looks in summer (above right). One of Andermatt's flagship developments will be the Chedi hotel (bottom left and right), a 426-room facility with high-end interiors and landscaping “We saw great potential in this south and a secret spot for avid ski- ORASCOM BACKGROUND village and felt that it had been ers. The effects on the hotel industry neglected for too long, we want to Egyptian company, Orascom were obvious: fewer and fewer hotels bring it to life,” says Jenni. “One of Development Holdings (ODH) is a and little investment in renovation and Orascom’s key beliefs is to take care specialist in planning, building and new offers. With the development by of the community in which we are operating integrated, self-sufficient Orascom, Andermatt has the opportu- building around. We are investing con- tourist and residential towns. Its nity to become a resort and create a siderable money in Andermatt and the first project in Egypt, El Guona on more sustainable form of tourism.” village will benefit significantly from the Red Sea is now a mature town. the project, which will become appar- It has established Taba Heights in ALPINE CHIC ent over time. The resort needed to be Egypt and another in the United There are around 30 architects stepped up a level in luxury terms to Arab Emirates. Five further sites are involved, all of whom will bring their see an increase in visitors and that is under progress in Morocco, Oman own style, while being briefed to reflect what we are here to do.” and Egypt, while another is in the and complement the surroundings. Although some avid skiers might planning process in Cornwall. Natural materials, such as wood and roll their eyes about their secret des- stone, will be combined with glass to tination being so decisively put on blend traditional and modern in an the map, the scheme is supported “Andermatt has once been very pop- Alpine chic style, which retains the locally, with 96 per cent of local inhab- ular, due to its great location, the character of a Swiss mountain village. itants saying they were in favour. many options for alpine adventure There will be six four-star and five- Swiss Tourism also believes this is and outdoor sports and some excep- star hotels, around 490 apartments what the town needs. Executive vice tional skiing. For various reasons it and 25 villas, as well as 35,000sq m president, Urs Eberhard, says this is went into hibernation and became a of commercial space. Kuala Lumpur- a positive development for the region: transit stop on the way from north to based, Denniston International ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 43 BIG ambitions PHOTOS: VINCENT HOFER/JEAN-MARC PALISSE Whitepod wonderland: The eco-chic resort's one-to-two person domed tents feature wood-burning stoves as a heat source OTHER ECO-FRIENDLY ALPINE SITES ■ Winner of the World Prize for Sustainable furniture is made from recycled materials, energy since the building is insulated in Tourism in 2005, the Whitepod resort or sustainable Swiss wood. Tents are based line with modern standards, which reduces near Villars in Switzerland aims to be a around a 19th century farmhouse, which energy consumption by a third. model for sustainable tourism. It consists has a solar shower and generator-powered Hot water is obtained by solar energy of fi ve geodesic dome tents perched at electricity for a few hours a day. from 60sq m of glass solar collectors in the 1,700m and is only accessible by foot or window panes of the basement. Oil heating on skis. The development of insulated tents ■ Last summer the Berghotel Muottas has been replaced by heat pumps. Sixteen are anchored to wooden platforms and Muragl in St Moritz was renovated to make thermal loops, totalling 3,200m, supply designed to leave no trace when they are it the fi rst plus-energy hotel in the Alps, the building with geothermal energy and pulled up in the spring. producing more energy than it actually the electricity is generated a photovoltaic They have no plumbing or electricity, but needs. Even though the hotel was extended system. Excess of solar energy is stored in an effi cient wood burning stove and the from 1,700sq m to 2,700sq m, it uses less the ground via the thermal loops. Architects and Planners are master- planners and the fl agship hotel, the Andermatt architects Two residential buildings and a 426-room Chedi Andermatt, a joint Golf: Rossknecht Golf GmbH, Lindau boutique hotel: Zucchi & Cavalli venture between them and ODH. Golfclubhouse: ARB Architekten, Bern Cino Zucchi Architetti, Milan Denniston’s Jean Michel Gathy is Appartmenthouses: Marazzi Hotel Radisson Blu: charged with the design and says it and Paul Architekten, Zurich Burkhalter Sumi, Zurich will be special: “The Chedi Andermatt Villas: ARGE Matti Ragaz Hitz Soliman Zurkirchen Architekten, Zurich will be vivacious and chic, with inten- Architekten/Baserga Mozetti Architetti Devanthery & Lamuniere, Genf tional citations of the 50s and 60s, to maintain the connection with this resort’s Golden Age.” At the heart ing its impact with plans to make the Global warming is a problem for the of the hotel will be a swimming pool heating carbon neutral. Electricity will skiing industry. Europe is suffering water lounge, with large fi replace. be generated from hydroelectrics and from a lack of snowfall and becoming For sale will be 119 apartments, six wind, heat energy from geothermal increasingly reliant on snowmaking. penthouses, seven lofts and a suite, probes and district heating - a way of The Alpine conservation society, Cipra, with prices from CHF 1.8m (£1.3m). distributing heat in a central location. estimates all resorts below 1200m “By using district heating, we will will go out of business within 50 years, GREEN GROWTH have higher effi ciencies and better pol- as the snowline gets higher. Eco-friendly and skiing don’t really go lution control than localised boilers. It At 1300m Andermatt appears to together: many visitors fl ying to their uses the lowest carbon footprint of all be out of the danger zone, plus it destination, an increasing use of arti- fossil generation plants,” says Jenni. has a glacier. However, putting more fi cial snow is bad for Alpine vegetation Apartments and hotels will be built emphasis on the summer season and and ski resorts are huge consumers to meet MINERGIE guidelines, which attracting visitors to the resort for of energy to keep the accommodation is a sustainability brand for new and purposes other than skiing seems a toasty in extremely cold conditions and refurbished buildings, supported by prudent move. ● run ski lifts all day. Andermatt Swiss the Swiss Confederation, the Swiss Alps goes some way towards minimis- Cantons and trade and industry. Kath Hudson is a freelance journalist 44 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 Specialist Cleaning Services In the leisure business, first impressions count. If your premises aren’t clean, hygienic and inviting, your customers will stay away. At Rainbow International, our range of specialist cleaning services will leave your building sparkling clean, and provide an invigorating environment for your customers. Our technicians are fully trained to offer the highest level of deep cleaning for any type of premises, in any environment, anywhere in the UK. And we’ll get the job done with minimal disruption to your business. When you need to see the full menu of specialist cleaning services, contact Rainbow International. Duct cleaning, blast cleaning & jet washing High access cleaning Carpet, upholstery, hard floor cleaning & repair Commerical window cleaning re & flood restoration l range of specialist cleaning services 20 years’ experience qualified, CRB checked and trained staff National company – local delivery – 80 branches across the UK To find out more call us on 0800 043 0001 or visit The UK’s top insurance companies choose Rainbow International www.rainbow-int.co.uk/leisure al, Spectrum House, Oakham Business Park, shire, NG18 5BY E REDEFIN MITS YOUR LI From the gym to the slopes and back again! Introducing the perfect strength and conditioning tool. Do you ask your members on induction if Do you ask your members on induction they require a s/c programme for skiing? if they have had any lower limb injuries? If yes, BalanceMaster will offer an ideal If yes, BalanceMaster will offer an ideal strength and conditioning tool to warm up conditioning tool before prepare for the stresses of the slopes. continuing with a standard programme. Find out moreane andred registg er for a FREE newsletter by v isiting: www.babalancemasterer.coco.uk/hcm ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 45 PROJECT PROFILE Edgbaston Priory Tennis Club plays host to the pre-Wimbledon ladies tournament, the AEGON Classic Joining the club Leisure Management Solutions company XN Leisure reviews its recent installation at the soon-to-be expanded Edgbaston Priory Tennis Club dgbaston Priory Club in Birmingham is a leading The company has been able to work with the club from racquet and leisure members club with a history the inception of the new project, recommending products E stretching back 130 years. It promotes racquet and procedures to both enhance the customer experience, sports at all levels and has a vibrant social events calendar. and give its management the information and analysis tools The club is about to enter an exciting new phase, as necessary to operate in a competitive environment. it embarks on a multi-million pound redevelopment of its The club currently has 29 tennis courts, 10 squash sporting facilities. The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), courts, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and an out- Britain’s national governing body for tennis, has committed door spa (open all year round), gym facilities and a licensed £5m towards the construction of a new permanent grass bar and restaurant. There is a full programme of coaching show court and a six-court indoor tennis centre. The exten- courses for all ages and abilities in tennis, squash and rac- sion of the club will include new squash, gym and leisure quetball, with plenty of competitive and social tournaments. facilities and a major refurbishment of the clubhouse. Investment in the new facilities will form a central part Oxfordshire-based XN Leisure has been working closely of the LTA's commitment to help grow community access with the team at the club for the past few months, imple- to tennis in Birmingham and across the region. They fur- menting its Dimension leisure management system at the ther enhance the club's status as an LTA High Performance facility, which incorporates membership management, court Centre, providing advanced coaching to talented junior play- bookings and access control. ers from across the region, many of whom are ranked in the The company’s on-line bookings application, Horizons, will top 25 in the UK for their age group. enable Edgbaston members to book their courts from their The range of products installed by XN Leisure at the pre home or offi ce, while the integrated Hospitality software new-build stage have been confi gured to allow for the growth manages all the dining options, and is designed to cater for of the business. The new build will provide additional chal- the club as it expands its food and beverage elements. lenges for access control to the numerous new areas being XN Leisure says it takes a partnership approach to the constructed, and this will be managed by XN Leisure’s self supply and installation of all its systems for operators. service range of products. At the same time, its Kiosk inter- According to the company, it carries out comprehensive face will capture the different activities of members. consultation and implementation processes to ensure that The Cascade reporting tool ensures that the data gath- before it starts to build the system, there is a full under- ered through the various interfaces, either at point of sale standing of the requirements, not only from the current or online, can be used to provide accurate and timely infor- position but also for future operations. mation to the senior management team at the club. XN Business development manager, Chris Phillips, says: “It Leisure is also assisting in the management and creation of is essential to the project and our ability to work in partner- the club’s marketing campaigns using the data and smart ship with our customers, that we are part of their team and tools within the newly-installed system. have a clear understanding of their strategic plans. So Edgbaston, which has hosted great tennis players like “The majority of our team have extensive experience in Martina Navratilova, is all set for an expanded future. For operations and can provide specialist advice to customers.” details visit www.xnleisure.com or call 0870 80 30 700 ● 46 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 A leading provider of Leisure Management Solutions with over three decades of experience serving more than 5,000 deployed LMS licenses and is the Xn Leisure technology partner of choice across all four sectors of public, private, facilities management and education. the IT A portfolio of LMS solutions to include ‘Award Winning’ self service modules to offer better leverage of your existing resources, increasing Partner of profitability and efficiency. A local or centrally hosted enterprise solution. Wizard based Choice membership with market leading central and local reporting and simple control of estate wide data. Bookings - retail based POS and ticketing, course and session management, prospecting and 3rd party best in class integration combine to make a powerful yet intuitive solution. Online Bookings - Sessions, courses and activities can be booked online, empowering members to book and purchase at a time convenient to them. Online booking is designed to complement existing services and offers an alternative to telephone booking and alleviates pressure from your front desk, allowing your front of house to be truly service orientated. Online Memberships – You can extend your membership sales team by allowing visitors to your website to join online, easing the burden on your front of house operations. Additional functionality allows existing members to renew their memberships, aiding your cash flow. Kiosks – In a convenience age Kiosks allow customers to self serve, from checking in for a course right through to rebooking a session for the following week or the purchasing of activities. Customer feedback functions for members and non members complete the solution. www.xnleisure.com Xn Leisure Systems Ltd 115M Milton Park Abingdon Oxfordshire OX14 4RZ Tel: +44 (0) 870 80 30 700 Fax: +44 (0) 870 80 30 701 Email: [email protected] COMPANY PROFILE Black glass toilet cubicles were installed at Waterford (left, middle) and St David’s centre (right) also chose a high-spec fi nish Clean lines From football stadia to high-end retail environments, Venesta has washroom products to suit the needs of any leisure facility enesta has over 75 years experience in the com- as solid grade laminate and aluminium fi ttings, its systems mercial washroom industry, with products that are offer the right performance and safety. V well recognised in both prestigious venues and the A recent high-end installation for Venesta was Waterford most demanding of leisure environments. Crystal’s new manufacturing facility, retail outlet and visitor The company’s design team is continually developing centre in Waterford, Ireland. The centre is part of a `25m washroom systems that will enhance any new leisure facil- redevelopment of the city’s historic area. ity, as well as provide customers with the widest possible Venesta supplied its prestigious Oxygen washroom range, choice of ranges and styles. Each component of the wash- fi tting black glass cubicles in the male and female wash- room is considered in detail, both in terms of its visual rooms. The fi t-out featured stainless steel fi ttings and pivot appearance, the right selection of materials, its suitability door systems, while Venesta’s pre-plumbed system, IPS, for the designated environment, as well as its functionality. was chosen for its quick and easy installation. While durability is a key component in any washroom specifi cation, Venesta also recognises the importance of HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS colour and design. The company is a market leader in colour Another recent large-scale project in the leisure retail sec- predictions, offering a fi ve-year outlook on trends. It works tor was the supply of a washroom solution for the new alongside colour specialists to create a palette that will extension to the St David’s Shopping Centre in Cardiff. The meet the design requirements across all market sectors. centre has more than 100,000sq m of new retail space, Venesta says it takes its responsibility to the environment including upmarket and iconic brands such as Apple, Hugo seriously, and across product sourcing, waste management Boss, LK Bennett and Kurt Geiger. and packaging reduction, is working to improve its impact The facility needed a washroom facility that would be in on the environment. It supplies a wide range of industry line with its high-end shopping appeal – but also one that sectors, including education, offi ces, sport, leisure, enter- was extremely durable and able to cope with the high foot- tainment, health and transport. fall of shoppers (over one million shoppers visited the centre in its fi rst week of opening alone). DESIGN AND DURABILITY Venesta was approached by Maria Cannovina, from the In the sport and leisure sector, the company has a number centre’s architect Benoy, who was looking for a contempo- of wash and changing room systems suitable for both rary, streamlined washroom solution to complement the wet and dry environments. The product choice includes centre’s modern aesthetic. a freestanding family changing cubicle and conventional The company recommended its Equinox range for its look unframed system - both in solid grade laminate, plus a and durability. The client opted for the product in Iceberg high-end glass wash and shower system created for more laminate with polished, elliptical pilasters for the shopping exclusive projects. A range of lockers, solid wood leisure centre washrooms and the management suite. bench systems and accessories enable total leisure solu- St David’s Shopping Centre director, Steven Madeley tions to be specifi ed. said: “I was delighted with the choice and quality of the Venesta also has a strong track record in the retail sector product, and from a practical point of view, extremely and offers a range of solutions to meet retailer needs. Such impressed with the ease in which it has been maintained. installations often receive very high use and may be sub- The traffi c within the fi rst year has been phenomenal, but ject to casual abuse or vandalism. By using materials such you wouldn’t think so by looking at our washrooms.” ● 48 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 We know sports and leisure. Stadia Highly adaptable, this free-standing cubicle system delivers maximum stability, whatever the situation or level of usage. For wet or dry environments, Stadia can accommodate family, individual and universal access changing facilities. We know sports and leisure. We’re passionate about raising the bar for sports and leisure. Your need for practicality has prompted us to create a versatile range of safe, durable and innovative solutions, whatever your budget. Contact us to order our new brochure. Call 01474 353333. www.venesta.co.uk FITNESS PAUL LORIMER-WING The joint CEO of easyGym talks to Kate Cracknell about its ‘premium low-cost’ model t’s a high-profi le start- Formerly an aspiring pro-golfer, owned property company before mov- up, so there’s lots to do Zimbabwe-born Lorimer-Wing then ing into private equity. “It was here I and get right,” says Paul moved into accountancy, training for really started to see business for what “I Lorimer-Wing, apologising fi ve years at Deloitte: “Not because it was. Seeing that model work – hav- for the fact that his joint I’d dreamed of being an account- ing a good idea, raising the necessary CEO at easyGym, Keith Burnet, is una- ant, but for the understanding it gives capital, investing it properly, watching ble to join us. you of business. You get to see a lot it closely – gave me the impetus and That’s something of an understate- of industries, their processes, what courage to do something myself. ment: the launch of easyGym is one makes them work or not work, the con- “I linked up with some people I of the more anticipated events in the trols they put in place.” trusted and respected profession- fi tness industry over recent years. So Moving to the UK seven years ago, ally and we decided to do something how did the whole thing come about? Lorimer-Wing initially joined a privately together, although at that stage we didn’t have any specifi c thoughts as to what it might be.” And so Fore Capital Partners was born (see p52). FORAY INTO FITNESS One idea to come out of the brain- storming sessions was budget fi tness. Although all the founding partners were physically active, none had specifi c expertise in fi tness. But Lorimer-Wing had observed the trend towards low-cost gyms in other coun- tries and felt it was a market with signifi cant potential. “We also liked the fact that fi tness is a quite a noble industry in many ways. For us, it was important that we weren’t just setting up in business, but that we were doing so in an industry that appealed to all of our senses – something we could live by. When we came up with this idea, we immediately felt it was where we wanted to be," he says. Fore Fitness was therefore set up as the fi rst operating division of Fore Capital Partners, to drive forward the new business idea. “We’d usually appoint a separate team to manage each investment, reporting in to us, but with this fi rst project we wanted to run it ourselves on a full-time basis.” Although the budget model was on the table from the word go, Lorimer- Wing explains: “The easyGym idea only formulated in our minds months later. We were chatting through the con- cept, trying to come up with a name Lorimer-Wing has global aspirations for the brand for it, and someone said: ‘This feels like an easyGym’. We immediately 50 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 The distinctive 'easy' branding is instantly familiar started looking at how we an amazing stake in the could make that happen, business because his brand but it was a long process – is so important to him, and it was six months before we that’s what we must protect could meet Sir Stelios [Haji- at all times.” Ioannou, founder and head The ‘easy’ brand affords of the easyGroup] and talk trust and immediate recog- about the concept in person. nition among consumers, “It was a battle, but we as Lorimer-Wing explains: “I felt that – given the number think having such a strong of other players in the low- brand behind us has been cost sector – if we wanted vital in raising funds – par- to stand out we needed ticularly given the economic to be a bit different, a bit climate when we were set- more powerful than the rest. ting out – and it also serves And we felt we wouldn’t be able to do Design company, StudioIanSherman, is us well with potential landlords, as that without a brand, so we persisted responsible for the easyGym interiors they’re keen to work with recognised and wouldn’t move forward until we’d brands that enhance their portfolios. signed with the easyGroup.” of easyGym? “He has an incredible “It’s been helpful in attracting the wealth of experience and provides very big names too. For example, I don’t EASYGYM DEAL valuable guidance. There’s a very clear think Keith [Burnet, former VP of glo- The deal consists of a brand licence voice and we like that. He also makes bal fi tness and spa at Hilton Hotels, agreement to use the easyGym name himself available whenever he can, for and prior to that MD at LivingWell – “so long as we strictly follow the brand club openings and so on, and we meet now joint CEO of easyGym alongside manual”. This is in line with the way often. But the business decisions are Lorimer-Wing] would have joined us if the rest of the easyGroup now works – entirely ours.” we hadn’t had the easyGym name.” even the original product, easyJet, is The easyGym agreement is a pure However, Lorimer-Wing is the fi rst to now operated on a licence deal. licensing deal with no fi nancial stake recognise that the brand alone isn’t So will Haji-Ioannou have any held by Haji-Ioannou, but Lorimer-Wing enough: “We still have to do our job involvement in the day-to-day running stresses: “I would argue that he has well. We have to deliver.” ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 51 FITNESS FORE CAPITAL PARTNERS Founded in 2009, Fore Capital Partners (FORE) is a venture capital fi rm set up by Paul Lorimer-Wing, his former Deloitte col- league Allan Casten, great friend Malcolm Levy and Hong Kong-based Jonathan Bond, a former colleague of Levy’s. FORE’s focus is on identifying investment opportunities in growing markets, raising deal-specifi c equity and managing teams to deliver shareholder value. Fore Fitness – over- seeing the deal with the easyGroup to create an easyGym chain – is the fi rst offshoot of FORE. Further offshoots will be established as new opportunities are identifi ed. As the fi rst project under the FORE ban- ner, Lorimer-Wing and Casten remain hands-on with the easyGym project – as Top team: easyGym's joint CEOs Keith Burnet (left) and Paul Lorimer-Wing (right) and the CFO Allan Casten (centre) joint CEO and CFO respectively – while Bond and Levy continue to look for new ventures. PREMIUM LOW-COST “But it’s still very early days and The joint CEOs are now working closely "It won't be all- the details will evolve over time. We’ll together to do exactly that, as Lorimer- keep looking at how to add value for Wing explains: “I have overall charge inclusive, as we want the consumer. We’re not trying to of the business, setting the strategy do everything at once though – for and vision of the organisation, man- members to feel now, it’s about keeping things sim- aging the relationship with Sir Stelios they're in control ple and getting the core proposition and the investors, monitoring the right. That’ll probably take us until overall investment, new business of their monthly club number three or four. I think it’s development and capital allocation. important for the proposition to allow Keith implements the strategy from expenditure" itself to be born – to settle in and give an operational perspective, and Allan people a chance to appreciate what it [Casten, fi nancial director] is in charge stands for," he says. of all things fi nancial and IT.” ages so regular class-goers can opt for “And from our perspective, every- At the time of going to press, the monthly ‘gym plus 15 classes’ or ‘gym thing has to be accountable: we need fi rst club was scheduled to open late plus 20 classes’ deals. Or they can to be sure of what works and what last month, in Slough, with a second continue with pay-as-you-go. doesn’t. We can only provide low-cost due to open this month in Wood Green, “It won’t be all-inclusive though, as so long as we’re in business!” Greater London. So how has ‘easy’ we want members to feel they’re in been translated into the fi tness arena? control of their monthly expenditure. EDUCATIONAL APPROACH “We like to think of easyGym as a Being honest, being transparent, with The easyGym design project has been ‘core-plus’ model. A premium low-cost no hidden costs – that’s really impor- led by StudioIanSherman, with Peter offering. It’s still no frills – no pools, tant. The whole point of the easy Evans Contract Interiors taking on sauna or steam – and our prices, brand is that we should be clear and the building work and fi t-out. “We’ve although they will vary by area, start at simple at all times. created a zonal gym concept – car- £15 a month. However, in addition to “We’re also very fl exible. We’ll hold dio area, circuit area, resistance by the core offering – the gym – there’s people’s data for six months, so they muscle group – to make it easy for also an element of choice, not present can leave for a few months and then members to fi nd their way around," in the majority of low-cost clubs, in come back without having to pay says Lorimer-Wing. that you can pay extra to attend group another joining fee [£25 post-opening]. “Education is very important, and exercise classes. And there are no contracts. we’ll have lots of information on our “We’re going to make sure the “At the heart of this whole concept website – and eventually video tutori- classes are really top-quality, with is a genuine desire to be accessible als too – so members can put together excellent instructors. You can’t charge to everyone, helping people become effective workout programmes.” for something unless it’s really special. healthier by making gym membership The simplicity of the gym layout is At fi rst they’ll be pay as you go – £4 less of a discretionary spend – pricing designed to make the transition from a time – but ultimately, once we have it at a level whereby they won’t imme- education to application in the gym as a programme in place that’s working, diately drop off when times are tough," self-explanatory as possible. we may structure membership pack- says Lorimer-WIng. “There’ll also be iPads around the 52 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 The company will spend around £1m on each fi t-out gym fl oor, again offering advice and Virgin Active, this was primarily to get “However, although the low-cost information. It’s in the little detail like quickly to market, he says. “We’re now clubs are attracting new consumers that that we’re trying to be a bit differ- primarily looking for shells. Going for- to the fi tness market, you still have to ent. The model must never feel cheap. ward, fewer than 20 per cent of sites do something to keep members there “You’ll walk in to one of our clubs we take on will be acquisitions.” beyond the price tag alone. You have and there’ll be nothing cheap about it. The model currently requires to engage with them, talk to them, try It will look like a high-end gym, from sites measuring 1,620–1,860sq m to be helpful – otherwise they’ll leave. the equipment to the chill-out areas (17,500–20,000sq ft) in high footfall “I don’t think anyone’s got retention – it won’t just be an ‘in and out’ gym. areas. But as Lorimer-Wing explains: right yet. Across the industry, there’s We’ll spend around £1m per club on “We will in time roll out different mod- a lot of promise but a lack of delivery fi t-out, although we may spend it in a els. We’re in it for the long haul, with a on those promises. A lack of personal different way from other operators.” seven- to 10-year plan starting in the contact. Top-end operators who have In spite of easyGym’s investment UK and then heading to Europe. the staff may need to start looking at in technology, the gym fl oor will be “We see easyGym as a global chain, using that manpower in different ways. staffed at all times - opening hours possibly operating on a franchise “As for the other sectors, I think the are 6.00am–10.00pm weekdays, and basis in other markets. We’ve had mid-market will survive, although there 8.00am–8.00pm at the weekend. enquiries from the US, Australia, New may be some consolidation. And the “We want to create a sense of com- Zealand, the Far East, India… every- budget sector will get tougher as it munity, with a human touch,” says one wants to be part of this.” starts stabilising. New entrants will Lorimer-Wing. “We won’t be as highly easyGym plans to open fi ve UK fi nd it harder to come in as landlords staffed as the top-end clubs, but we clubs in its fi rst year. From there, the opt for brands with an established want to fi nd a way of using the man aim is to roll out six to 10 clubs a trading history. hours we do have so members gen- year. So is there space in the rela- “But there is scope for everyone, as uinely feel we’re supporting them. tively saturated UK market for this? “If well as for other non gym-based activ- People’s health is at the heart of our you look at markets where penetra- ities. We will consider introducing concept, and we will continually strive tion levels are in the high teens, you’ll running and cycling clubs at our sites to deliver on our members’ needs.” see they’re markets with a full comple- in the longer term, for example, as we ment of club types,” he says. “If we see ourselves – the gym – as only part ROLLOUT PLANS can grow the market from 12, to say of the solution. Ultimately, we want Although the fi rst two sites are over- 16 per cent, I think there’s plenty of to act as a conduit to help people hauls of existing clubs, acquired from scope for everyone." become healthier.” ● ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 53 REGENERATION TURNING TIDES s a teenager grow- social decline, and it only got worse as [for the gallery] in the 90s and did a ing up in east Kent, the turn of the century approached. lot of research into Turner, and his Margate had a magnetic Turner Contemporary – a £17.4m relationship with Margate and Kent.” A pull. Every summer, art gallery that’s been 10 years in the More than 100 of Turner’s paint- my friends and I would making – has a lot riding on it. Not just ings, including many of his famous visit Dreamland (or Bembom Brothers a visitor attraction, it is seen as the seascapes, were inspired by the east Theme Park as it was known in the driving force of a multi-layered plan to Kent coast. The idea, though, was 80s). After we’d had our fill of roller- regenerate the town. never to create a gallery dedicated coasters, we’d wander out onto the only to Turner. The Victorian art critic beach, Mr Whippies in hand, and dip PUSHING BOUNDARIES John Ruskin called the controversial our toes in the north sea. It was from a grass-roots desire to painter “the father of modern art”, Yet even then I was aware of the reverse Margate’s downward trajectory and it’s this legacy of pushing bound- seediness and sadness mixed in that the idea for Turner Contemporary aries (think the Turner Prize) that with Margate’s charm. Both the sea- was born. “One man, John Crofts, is has informed the direction of Turner front and the town centre were rough credited with the idea,” says direc- Contemporary since day one. around the edges, much of the beauti- tor Victoria Pomery, a former senior Sadly, Crofts died in 2009. But what ful Georgian and Victorian architecture curator at Tate Liverpool who joined began as his personal dream gained was dilapidated or derelict, and we the fledgling project in 2002. “John momentum when Kent County Council weren’t allowed to stay there after was a member of the Margate Civic (KCC) and the national Arts Council dark. This once-glorious Victorian sea- Partnership, a group that was very bought into the idea. “KCC was very side resort, beloved of painter JMW concerned about what was happening interested in culture-led regeneration,” Turner, was in serious economic and to the town. He came up with the idea says Pomery. “And the Arts Council 54 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 © RICHARD BRYANT/ARCAID IMAGES Margate’s new art gallery, Turner Contemporary, is at the heart of plans to regenerate the depressed Kent coastal resort where JMW Turner once painted his famous seascapes. Rhianon Howells reports The gallery has sweeping views of Margate's sands (above). Its second exhibition in September 2011 will show a dozen Turner works, including this self portrait, circa 1790 (below left) was interested put the gallery an art gallery? How’s it going to help in improving the at the far end us?’” she says. “We worked hard to cultural infra- of the town’s change people’s minds by working structure of the harbour mouth, within the community and saying, ‘This south-east, partic- where it would is relevant to you and your families - ularly Kent, which have been prey and it can also do other things, like has always suffered to the full force of bring new visitors to the area.’” from its proximity to the sea. A romantic Luckily, their efforts paid off. “After London – the argument vision, but not a real- the fi rst scheme was abandoned in being that people could istic one, and when the 2006, we had a big public meeting COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL get their cultural fi x in London, costs of delivering it rose from and [this time] people were saying, even though until recently it was two £7m to £55m, Snøhetta and Spence ‘we want a gallery now, we just want hours away on the train. So various were sacked. to know when it’s going to happen.’ So things came together at the same It was a serious setback for a that was a real change.” time.” project that Pomery and her team had The project also benefi tted early on As a result, in 2001, KCC com- already spent years generating popu- from some high-profi le support – from missioned a feasibility study, before lar support for, by hosting small-scale Nicholas Serota at the Tate (the gallery immediately launching an international exhibitions and events in the town, is one of 18 Plus Tate partners nation- architectural competition. The winners, and working closely with local schools wide) and also from Turner prize-winner Norwegian architects Snøhetta and and groups. “It’s no secret that when Tracey Emin, who grew up in Margate British collaborator Stephen Spence, I arrived in Margate in 2002 a lot of and came back to open the gallery, came up with a design that would have people were asking, ‘Why do we need with Kent resident Jools Holland, on ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 55 REGENERATION COURTESY OF VICTORIA GALLERY AND MUSEUM, UNIVERSITY LIVERPOOL ALL INTERIOR PHOTOS © DAVID GRANDORGE ALL INTERIOR PHOTOS © DAVID © RICHARD BRYANT 16 April. “Tracey has been an amaz- The inaugural exhibition features the outside the gallery’s main entrance, ing ambassador for us over the years,” work of Conrad Shawcross (top left),Ellen overlooking the Margate sands. says Pomery. “She gave us a work last Harvey (bottom left), Russell Crotty Somehow, the whole design manages year [a pink neon sign reading “I never (bottom right), Daniel Buren (opposite, to be bold yet unpretentious, minimal- stopped loving you”] which we were top) and one work from Turner (top right) ist yet inviting. able to auction, and she talks about Of course, it is not only the building, Margate and Turner Contemporary it’s sheathed in white, opaque glass but what’s inside it, on which the suc- wherever she goes.” An exhibition of which changes colour with the light. cess of Turner Contemporary depends Emin’s work is scheduled for 2011. Inside, it’s all polished concrete and – and the challenge of ensuring the white walls, with sunlight flooding in gallery has high-quality content is not ACCESSIBLE ART through the huge lobby window facing made easier by the fact there’s no per- Following the Snøhetta and Spence the sea, as well as through numer- manent collection. “We don’t have a debacle, Pomery worked closely with ous windows and skylights in the study budget for collecting, we don’t have a KCC to find another firm to deliver a rooms and first-floor galleries (there policy for collecting and, actually, the visionary design that was also within are mechanical shutters in place for building hasn’t been designed with the budget. David Chipperfield Architects when works need to be displayed artifi- large-scale storage necessary,” says was, she says, a unanimous choice. cial light). “It’s very fortunate that the Pomery. “Obviously getting the loans The resulting building has been gallery faces due north, as of course is a time-consuming process… but for funded by KCC (£6.4m), Arts Council does Margate, which is not often the me, temporary exhibitions allow one to England (£4.1) and South East England case of holiday resorts in the north- think about different audiences, differ- Development Agency (£4m), with the ern hemisphere,” Chipperfield told the ent themes and different artists.” remainder raised by the non-profit Guardian. “But this means we get the Pomery also defends her deci- Turner Contemporary Trust from a vari- light that works best for artists and sion not to open the gallery with ety of private and public sources. As the artworks.” an exhibition dedicated solely to its befits a public gallery, it’s a lot more Another of Chipperfield’s aims was namesake’s works – instead choos- modest that the earlier scheme, but to make the art as accessible as ing to delay plans for a big Turner still only a stone’s throw from the sea. possible, and the positioning of the show (Turner and the Elements) until The two-storey building comprises amenities reflects this: the shop is January 2012. “We’re not the Turner a series of interconnecting, shed-like within the lobby and, while it can’t be Gallery, we’re Turner Contemporary, structures with sloping roofs, meant missed, it can be easily by-passed, and it’s really important to set out to evoke artists’ studios. Outside, while the café and its terrace sit just what we’re here to do, which is to 56 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 PHOTO: REDSNAPPA.BIZ TURNER – ‘THE PAINTER OF LIGHT’ Joseph Mallord William Turner was were inspired by this area of coast. born in London in April 1775 and This love of the sea stayed with him died in December 1851, aged 76. As all his life. a young boy Turner attended school Turner was also attracted by the in Margate, and was to return to the charms of one Mrs Sophia Booth, Kent seaside resort throughout his the landlady of the guesthouse life – attracted by its beautiful skies. where he stayed and with whom he He once claimed that Thanet had “the had a life-long affair. Fittingly, Turner loveliest skies in Europe” and many Contemporary is built on the site once of his most celebrated seascapes occupied by his lover’s establishment. demonstrate Turner’s influence on con- of a volcanic eruption. In fact, Turner Pomery is also keen to stress that temporary practice” she says. “But we had never even seen a volcano. although showcasing great art is a key are committed to making sure there’s One criticism directed at the gallery aim for the new gallery, it’s not the always a Turner present.” by some reviewers is that, based on only one. “Learning is absolutely cen- In line with this, there is one Turner this first exhibition, there’s not enough tral,” she says. “The gallery has to be painting in the opening exhibition, in it to warrant the train journey from at the heart of the community… and Revealed: Turner Contemporary Opens, London. But Pomery disputes this: without the learning element, it isn’t and there will be up to a dozen in the “You need to spend time with these going to work.” next show, Nothing in the World but works,” she says. “They’re not easy Thus, much of the space is using Youth, which opens in September. works by any stretch of the imagina- for running workshops and courses tion, and they’re multi-faceted. More for local people of all ages and back- HEART OF THE COMMUNITY isn’t necessarily better; it’s not about grounds; Pomery is particularly The Turner in the opening exhibition, filling up the spaces with as much as proud of the Cultural Ambassadors which also features the work of six con- we can possibly jam in.” scheme, which, in association with temporary artists, is The Eruption of the "Personally, I find it refreshing not the University for the Creative Arts, is Souffrier Mountains, in the Island of St. to experience the sense of “too much enabling people with very little educa- Vincent, at Midnight, on the 30th April, art, too little time” that often over- tion to access art foundation and even 1812, an extraordinarily vivid depiction whelms me in art galleries.” degree courses. ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 57 REGENERATION PHOTOS: REDSNAPPA.BIZ Margate's Old Town is gradually fi lling up with trendy boutiques, cafes and galleries ike those of many project. Comprising rep- House into a mixed-use residential, com- L seaside towns, ART & LIFE: resentatives from all key mercial and retail development and the Margate’s prob- A new vision stakeholders including renovation of the long-derelict Fort Road lems can be dated back Thanet District Council, Hotel, a Victorian pub thought to be one to the decline of UK tour- for Margate Kent County Council of Turner’s haunts. ism in the 70s, when and South East England But the jewel in the crown is the holiday-makers started Development Agency, as planned reopening of funfair Dreamland seeking sun and sand well as English Heritage (which closed after a fi re in 2008) as in European resorts. Hotels and guest- and the Heritage Lottery Fund, the part- a heritage amusement park. Thanet houses were converted into cheap nership has worked to maximise the District Council recently issued a compul- bedsits and small fl ats, changing the positive impact of the gallery project on sory purchase order for the site and, if demographic profi le of the town as a the town, as well as looking at some of successful, work could start in 2012. more transient, poorer population moved the wider regeneration issues. “We understand very acutely here in, and Margate became a location cho- One focus has been on improving the the importance of tackling the social sen by external agencies and local town’s infrastructure, especially in the aspects of regeneration, that it’s not just authorities to house homeless people, Old Town, which was once full of run- about creating visitor attractions,” says ex-offenders and children in care. down and derelict buildings, and is now Partnership director Madeline Homer. The Margate Renewal Partnership a thriving maze of fashionable boutiques, That said, the partnership is delighted was set up in 2005 to spearhead plans cafés, small art galleries and work- with the gallery's impact so far. "It's got for regenerating the town following the shops. Initiatives include a scheme to us noticed in a way we've never been launch of the Turner Contemporary turn iconic concrete tower block Arlington noticed before," she says. Another aim is to support regenera- Pomery knows there are challenges recently confi rmed that Rodin’s The tion of the town, raising its profi le and ahead, not least due to the current cli- Kiss, on loan from the Tate, will be attracting investment, but according to mate of cuts. Gallery running costs are installed at the gallery from October Pomery, it’s also about winning hearts around £2.2m a year, of which 85 per this year until September 2012, and and minds: “Regeneration is not just cent is being provided by KCC and Arts there’s a programme in place through about improvements in the urban envi- Council England, with the remainder to to the end of 2013 – after that, ronment, it’s about engendering civic be raised by the Turner Contemporary Pomery admits, it still needs work. pride. On the opening weekend, there Trust and the gallery itself. She’s in no doubt, however, that it’s was a palpable sense of excitement “It’s our job – mine, the staff’s and worth the effort. “It’s amazing what’s that something was happening here, the trustees’ – to make sure we’re been achieved in this community,” she that Margate had turned a corner.” sustainable, and we’re thinking of says. “Margate is an absolutely magi- Nor does this enthusiasm appear to ways to be more entrepreneurial,” cal place, it’s got so much potential, be dying down. In the fi rst six weeks says Pomery. “Some of the spaces and it’s so tragic what’s happened to of opening, Turner Contemporary drew have been designed to be used not it over time… it’s such a delight that 100,000 visitors – almost a third of only for lectures and musical events, people are really enjoying this gallery, the gallery’s forecast of 156,000. Of but also for corporate events, wed- and if it can change things in a small these, 24 per cent came from Margate dings and parties," she says. way, I’m thrilled.” and a further 24 per cent from the The other challenge is ensuring the Thanet area, and 80 per cent of visi- quality of the art remains consistently Rhianon Howells is a freelance tors have said they are likely to return. high, so visitors keep coming. It was journalist 58 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 The annual gathering of chief leisure and culture offi cers was a chance to consider the path ahead in a changing public landscape, says honorary secretary John Bell BRAVE NEW WORLD embers and guests gathered in the splen- M did surroundings of Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire for the Chief Leisure and Culture Offi cers’ Association AGM 2011. It was a chance to discuss the challenges that lie ahead for our sec- tor, and look back at the achievements we have made in infl uencing key policy decisions in culture and leisure. Chief executive of Blenheim Palace, John Hoy, spoke of transformation of the palace offer since he and his team were appointed in 2003. Visitor Blenheim Palace, the conference venue, has successfully grown visitor numbers numbers had increased and new inno- vations across the board had reversed We needed to harness some of this to the ground” and advisor to the LGA, a downward trend in the business capacity in order to deliver on the advising on free swimming, the library operated by the trust. In particular, transformational agenda, he said. review, school sport and the health bill. they had introduced a ‘pay for a day Allison set out the challenges ahead Lynn has spoken on training semi- visit and get a year free’ offer; this as: the leadership vacuum; skills nars for councillors involved in culture simple offer not only increased visitor and competencies needed to oper- and sport at the Member Leadership numbers but also allowed signifi cant ate in the new world; our case for academies, met Ed Vaizey, Minister reductions in the marketing budget. investment; our track record on self for the Arts, on the library review and Picking up the theme of busi- improvement; our ability to support Arts Council restructure on two occa- ness transformation, Martyn Allison, a ‘Big Society’ and our ability to work sions to give a CLOA perspective. Our Local Government Improvement and together. He concluded by posing a association has worked with Allison on Development (LGID – formerly IDEA) question for CLOA – “What will your many key issues, and we are indebted advisor on culture and sport, gave a role be in the new landscape?” to him for his help and guidance. presentation on culture and sport and Other presentations made were The new CLOA chair is Richard Hunt, the ‘Big Society’. He said that a new by John Fuller (Herts 2012 ambassa- head of leisure at Suffolk County policy context of increased localisation, dor); Duncan Wood-Allum on lessons Council, and we wish him well with his a stronger civic society, and shrink- from New York and Paul Collings of tenure and the tasks that lie ahead. ing of the state meant that we in the Timberplay on how to cut costs and Despite the loss of a number of culture and leisure sector needed to increase revenue in play provision. culture and leisure posts in local gov- fi nd new ways of delivering services Nigel Lynn, chair of CLOA was stand- ernment, over the last two years CLOA effectively. Increasingly we will have ing down after a hectic two years and has actually increased its membership. to rationalise, work across boundaries he referred to the achievements of Lynn said that CLOA remains a healthy, and collaborate with new partners. CLOA during that time. He reminded vibrant and meaningful organisation Allison reminded us that culture and us of how much we as an organisa- that continues to infl uence policy in sport are already “big”. Sport volun- tion have developed and infl uenced the cultural sector and beyond. Our teering stands at 5.8 million, there culture over this period by working association has made an offer to the are over 400,000 heritage volun- with the DCMS, Arts Council, Sport LGA to lead the improvement agenda, teers and 39,000 art groups with 5.9 England, the Sport and Recreation which is a priority for the future. million members. Culture and recre- Alliance, Skills Active and the Local The AGM presentations can be ation organisations are the second Government Association (LGA). Lynn viewed in more detail on the CLOA largest in number, after social care. described CLOA as an “essential ear website: www.cloa.org.uk ● ISSUE 3 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 59 CINEMA POSITIVE As more UK cinemas embrace digitisation, the scope for attracting new audiences widens. Dee Davison presents a rosy picture from the Cinema Exhibitor Association’s latest report The UK box offi ce is set for another good year with big- hitters like X-Men First Class 60 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 :@E ritish cinema looks set to see a landmark year in 2011. Cinema as a lei- B sure activity has continued to perform strongly in the recession, with admissions remaining stable and box offi ce revenues growing steadily over the last decade, in 2010 reaching £988m for the UK, an increase of 4.2 per cent on the previous year. Expectations are high for another record-breaking year at the box offi ce, with an impressive line-up of fi lms hit- ting the big screen, including Pirates of the Caribbean – On Stranger Tides, Kung Fu Panda 2, Thor, X-Men First Class, The Twilight Saga – Breaking Dawn Part I and The Smurfs. But this will also be the year which marks the point at which over half of The success of modern 3D cinema is UK cinema screens will be digitised, CINEMA ADMISSIONS now well established, with fi lms like the mid-point in a process that has IN 2010 (MILLION) Avatar setting the benchmark been underway for several years and which will continue to the end of the France 206.5 ing than the short-lived and inferior year and well into next. UK 169.2 3D gimmicks of the past. The turning It is a change that will have a fun- Russia 165.5 point in all of this was the success of damental impact on cinema exhibition Germany 118.9 Avatar at the beginning of 2010, which and the fi lm industry as a whole. Italy 109.9 showed the interest among audiences While in truth many cinema custom- Spain 100 in seeing cutting edge 3D movies in ers may not notice a huge difference SOURCE: UNIC their ultimate environment. Going on in terms of the picture quality dis- to make an incredible £93.5m in the played on screen, digital cinema is the UK alone, Avatar has set the bench- gateway to modern 3D, more fl exible when the sector is fully digitised, the mark for modern cinema. programming and so-called ‘alternative industry came together to agree a Digital fi lm also provides much content’ - live theatre, opera, ballet system of ‘virtual print fees’ where dis- greater potential for fl exibility around and sporting events. tributors make a fi nancial contribution programming in cinemas, with fi lms to the costs of digital equipment. more easily moved from one screen CROSSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE This approach has served to accel- to another in keeping with audience Digital conversion has not been with- erate the process of digitisation and demand. The days of one fi lm play- out its challenges, one of the biggest as a result, the number of digital ing on one screen all day may soon be of which has been the cost of digital screens in the UK is rapidly increasing. numbered – you could see a cartoon projection equipment. This is particu- At the end of 2010, there were just in the morning, a family movie in the larly relevant for smaller independent over 1,400 digital screens out of a UK afternoon or early evening and then operators, for whom running a cinema total of 3,700 screens (doubling the a horror movie or thriller late into the © 20TH CENTURY FOX is often a precarious business with- fi gure for 2009) of which 1080 were night, all on one screen. out a signifi cant profi t margin to cover 3D-enabled (trebling the fi gure from Digital fi lm is also much more envi- the outlay for new equipment. In rec- the previous year). ronmentally-friendly, with hard drives ognition of this challenge, and the The success of modern 3D cin- capable of repeated use as opposed potentially signifi cant savings which ema is now well-established, and has to a 35mm print, which would be dis- the distribution sector stands to make proven itself to be more long-last- posed of and elements of it recycled. ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 61 CINEMA Digitisation also opens up oppor- cess, with football, rugby and Formula tunities for cinemas to screen what LOOKING OUT FOR CINEMAS 1 racing all gaining an audience. That is known by the industry as ‘alterna- trend has kicked on further with the tive content’ - theatre, opera, ballet The Cinema Exhibitors’ introduction of live 3D screenings, to music concerts, sports and even Association (CEA), which pub- which live coverage from Wimbledon live computer gaming. An increas- lished its report in May 2011, was added this year. ing number of arts companies such represents the interests of over The chance to engage a different – as the Royal Ballet and the National 90 per cent of UK operators, and potentially wealthier – audience is Theatre are professionally fi lming their from large circuits to independ- also refl ected in other developments work and either streaming live to cin- ent sites. It works on behalf of in the sector. An increasing number of emas via satellite or providing for the sector at a local, regional, cinemas are now offering VIP or ‘gold performance to be screened shortly national and international level, class’ tickets in an attempt to attract after the live event. For a much lower giving advice on legislative and customers willing to pay more for arm- ticket price, and in the comfort of their operational matters such as digiti- chair style seating or recliners, with local cinema, an increasing number sation, licensing, fi lm theft, energy more leg room and space for wine and of audiences are choosing to see per- effi ciency, food hygiene, disabled nibbles, providing an altogether more formances by leading artists and access and fi lm classifi cation. premium experience. While the suc- companies across the world. Details: cinemauk.org.uk cess of such initiatives has in truth been mixed, where it works, it has pro- LUCRATIVE MARKETS vided a signifi cant boost to income. And this is proving an increasingly Those kind of numbers are made dou- At the other end of the spectrum, important revenue stream for cin- bly attractive when one considers that customers seeking value for money in ema operators. For example, a Screen the average ticket price for La Traviata, the UK can still use the long-running Digest report noted that one of the for example was `17 (compared to Orange Wednesdays 2-for-1 ticket pro- fi rst screening programmes from the an average UK cinema ticket price of motion, or a range of company-specifi c Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, `6.50), leading to gross revenues of loyalty card or discount schemes. saw La Traviata screened across 176 `450,500 for this production alone. One specifi c area the CEA has been screens in nine countries and nearly In the sporting arena, cinema working together with the industry on selling out with 26,500 attendances. screenings have proved a huge suc- is access for its disabled customers. © ANTONIA REEVE/COURTESY OF THE OWNER Watching Leonardo Live demand for such screenings. “We have seen a huge infl ux of new audi- The National Gallery’s landmark ences regionally who want to see exhibition, Leonardo Da Vinci: this type of event. They have been :8J<JKL;P Painter at the Court of Milan, open- phenomenally successful.” ing in November 2011, will feature Swartland says that from 2009 to a tie-up with Picturehouse Cinemas 2010 their cinemas saw a 24 per and Sky Arts to broadcast a live, cent upturn in revenues from alter- red carpet preview programme via native content alone, and a 25 per cinema screens nationally. cent rise in admissions generally. The 80-minute Leonardo Live With each of Picturehouse’s simulcast will be presented by art house sites creating their own art historian and broadcaster Tim identity, the company has also Marlow and screened to cinema- encouraged the use of social media goers and art lovers the night to connect with their audiences. before the main opening in London. Leonardo da Vinci's The “Each cinema has grown this Like many cinema chains, Madonna of the Yarnwinder organically – now every site uses Picturehouse has been screening Twitter and has a Facebook page for alternative output for several years, fi lm listings, reviews, conversations such as live drama from the National Theatre, and opera and competitions. Content is also driven centrally and we from the New York Met since 2005. This year’s Leonardo have embraced the use of YouTube,” says Swartland. Live represents a more involved collaboration, and the Within cinemas, niche clubs have also been used to company will also act as the distributor to other cinemas. build customer loyalty. For example, the company says its Gabriel Swartland of Picturehouse Cinemas, which are Slackers Club, run in partnership with E4, has been very owned and operated by City Screen, says the company’s popular with its target student audience and there are 19 independent cinema sites have seen a great upturn in regular free screenings. 62 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 :@E OPERA AT THE CINEMA Verdi's 'Macbeth LIVE' was enjoyed in cinemas around the world The Royal Opera House in Covent supported by Bank of America Merrill both 2D and 3D. For the 2011/2012 Garden offers an extensive sea- Lynch. The Royal Opera’s most recent season there will be nine new pro- son of cinema content which now screening was Macbeth in June 2011, ductions, including Faust (live), Tosca plays at 600 cinemas in 22 countries while ballet, music and dance produc- (recorded) and The Royal Ballet’s The worldwide, with its expansion being tions are also available for cinema in Sleeping Beauty (live). The UK cinema sector is a world leader in terms of accessibility, but remains The lower costs of building and operating conscious of the need to continue to improve in this area, and to take digital cinemas means we are likely to see the advantage of developments in new technology. At present, while many growth of 'miniplex models' in smaller towns cinemas programme subtitle screen- ings for those with some impaired hearing, these are typically attended fi lms are downloaded from the inter- European counterparts, meaning that only by a handful of people, and so net, it remains the case that nine out there is a great deal of untapped remain a signifi cant fi nancial burden. of 10 of those movies started life as demand across the country. The lower However, there are a number of com- fi lms illegally recorded in cinema the- costs of building and operating digital panies developing personal ‘subtitling atres. Through the efforts of cinema cinemas, and the potentially greater glasses’ which the sector hopes will staff and colleagues across the indus- revenue, means that we are likely to enable it to provide a much more wide- try in the last few years, very few of see the growth of a number of ‘mini- spread and comprehensive service. those fi lms are now stolen from UK plex models’ in smaller towns and sites. But fi lm theft remains a truly an communities across the UK. PROTECTING ASSETS international trade. The message from the sector is an A constant challenge affecting the The future drivers for the cinema overwhelmingly positive one - of strong whole industry remains fi lm theft. market will undoubtedly revolve around economic performance, technological Illegal copying is estimated to cost the the potential offered by digital technol- innovation and potential for signifi cant fi lm and TV industry nearly £500m a ogy. This transition lowers the ‘barriers further growth in the coming years. ● year, with just short of £150 million of of entry’ to cinema operation. that lost to the cinema sector. Even in The UK remains relatively under- Dee Davison is a senior policy executive a time when the vast majority of illegal screened compared to many of its for the CEA ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 63 CINEMA LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION Future Cinema creates “living, breathing experiences of the cinema” at locations as diverse as empty hospitals and car parks. Founder Fabien Riggall tells Julie Cramer how his events are attracting thousands of ardent fi lm fans PHOTOS: MIKE MASSARO How would you describe Can you describe the Secret your business? Recreated scenes from One Flew Cinema experience? We have three main strands, all based Over the Cuckoo's Nest (left) We have such a following that peo- around fi lm. Secret Cinema [launched and the Secret Cinema audience ple will buy into the experience without 2007] is our larger-scale, themed gathers for Bladerunner (right) knowing what it is or where it will be. fi lm event held at a secret location Each event is based around the show- every few months, with a large cast ing of a fi lm and is a fully staged with of actors, where the audience are key want to set up a fi lm festival that sim- actors to re-enact scenes, the latest characters in the event. Our original ply runs for two weeks and is then technology, music, videos, catering company, Future Shorts, was set up in over. I wanted something that people etc – and held at a secret city loca- 2003 to promote the short fi lm genre, could experience on a regular basis. tion, lasting around fi ve to six hours. bringing it out of its ghetto and deliver- We only disclose the name of the fi lm, ing it to a wider audience. We wanted Where was your fi rst event? dress code and location a week before to socialise the fi lm experience, using Our fi rst short fi lm event was held in a the event, but spend weeks before music, drama, food and drink, to cre- club in London’s Shepherd’s Bush and that building the narrative and sending ate a great, friendly night out. From 150 people came with very little mar- out clues. The audience may be split Future Shorts we expanded to Future keting. I could see there was a real into groups and ask to dress in certain Cinema in 2005, which involves sim- appetite for this type of experience, character roles. ilar events based around full-length so a year later I left my job to focus on fi lms, held at different venues in cities the business full time. Future Shorts How do you choose your themes? around the UK, and also the world. now operates in 12 different countries Films range from Ghostbusters and and is still expanding. Alien through to cult classics like Blue What was your inspiration Velvet, and we don’t shy away from for the business? How did the Future Cinema and harder-hitting fi lms that have some- I was a fi lmmaker and producer work- Secret Cinema brands evolve? thing to teach. Our most recent event ing for many years in the fi lm industry We saw there was a huge demand for was the Battle of Algiers – a 1966 and also in advertising. I was passion- cinema events that not only involved fi lm about the Algerian revolution. We ate about short fi lms and believed that the fi lm, but a whole theatrical, interac- chose it because it referenced to the everybody should have access to the tive experience which brought people current times of political and social very best and latest offerings. Short together on a large scale. I love the unrest in many countries. fi lms get people thinking, talking and idea of making the experience of a debating with each other. They also fi t great fi lm even better and more power- How do you choose your in with today’s climate of people want- ful, by involving the audience, making locations for Secret Cinema? ing quick, bite-sized pieces of culture. them they are part of action, making With the events being so large scale However, I was clear that I did not them feel special. we obviously have to fi nd major loca- 64 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 Battle of Algiers: The audience were invited to dress in character :@E UNDERGROUND MOVEMENT The latest Secret Cinema event – Battle of to Algiers through the checkpoints into the watch one of the most important and rele- Algiers – took place at the Old Vic Tunnels secret alleyways of the Casbah and splen- vant political fi lms of the last century.” under London's Waterloo Station, from 15 dour of the French Quarter. Those that did US actor and Old Vic artistic director April to 8 May 2011. not have the correct papers were arrested Kevin Spacey, said he was “blown away” by The post-event statement from Secret and taken away. the event, saying the mix of fi lm and theatre Cinema to fi lm fans gives a fl avour of the "Following an incident at the French “allows for a much more powerful experi- experience: “Over 12,000 citizens travelled Embassy, citizens were taken into hiding to ence... for the audience". tions that we can also keep secret. How many people attend? Do you stage any events in cinemas? Gus Van Sant’s Paranoid Park was held We have a customer database of Yes we work with operators such under railway arches at London Bridge, 130,000 and can attract up to 15,000 as City Screen to stage special fi lm One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest was to a month-long event. From an audi- events. Digitisation is really opening in a disused hospital. ence of just 400 at our fi rst event up the market and making it possi- in 2007, Secret Cinema has grown ble to screen fi lms anywhere and we How long does it take to rapidly and it is the next part of our see lots of potential for tie-ups in the prepare for an event? business that we will expand globally. future. We see potential for temporary, Between six to eight weeks. From a Our other companies have already pop-up cinemas in libraries, town halls, staff of 14 we grow to 200 plus peo- expanded into other countries with etc – and for people to partner with us ple comprised of the art department, partners in Russia, Spain, France, to open a cinema in their town. set designers plus and cast of actors. Sweden, Norway, the US, and most recently Iceland. What about future plans? What role does technology play? We will continue to expand all our Technology makes our lives easier and How do you market your brands? brands into new countries and new we can create some amazing effects, We have worked hard to create a markets. We also work in the corpo- such as projecting holograms that are strong online and multimedia brand. rate sector staging themed fi lm events diffi cult to distinguish from reality. Around 2.5 million people a month and promotions for business, fi lm and But no matter how good the technol- visit our Future Shorts web channel – product launches, and this business is ogy is, we still want our events to be which has music, culture, short fi lms, expanding all the time. about people meeting up and having interviews and documentary. We also fun – the kind of excitement that chil- have a strong presence on You Tube, And your next Secret Cinema event? dren naturally feel. We operate in 4D, Facebook and Twitter. Well it’s still a secret. What I can tell giving audiences the chance to experi- Most importantly, we view online you is that it will be in August, hope- ence the sights, sounds, smells, taste social media as a powerful way to fully outdoors and bicycles will have a and touch of a fi lm’s world. bring people together in a real setting. part to play! ● ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 65 MYSTERY SHOPPER The holiday park spans 435 hectares, with cabins emjoy- FOREST ing open views of nature ADVENTURE ’ve got three great reasons to love the concept of bungalow Bart Dohmen and his family try out Les Trois Forêts holiday I parks - my three children, aged park in France – Center Parcs Europe's largest site two, fi ve and eight. At such parks the children can play outside, cook for yourself, and you have more space – overall far more kitchen included tableware for our route, 15 minutes if we took the sce- freedom than a hotel offers. As a fam- entire family for every meal, dish- nic route. Our children were just on the ily we’ve stayed at many such parks, washer, microwave etc. The beds were verge of getting cranky when we took but had not stayed at a Center Parcs very comfortable and several steps up this trip. It brought home the size of for several years. There had been sev- from what we’ve found at other parks. this place – at 435 hectares, this is eral positive magazine articles about a very, very big park. For people who its latest park, Les Trois Forêts in OUT IN NATURE want to walk, this may be problem- Moselle-Lorraine, Northeast France – We noted that the Center Parcs Europe atic. It is possible to hire bicycles and so we booked a mid-week stay in May, website claimed their cottages inte- golf carts, but this is an additional at a cost of `1,250 for four nights. grated into the natural surroundings expense. The park offers a shuttle After a fi ve-hour drive and a car full and were happy to discover that this train, but this only runs in the morn- of excited children we arrived to a was indeed the case. We felt we were ing and late afternoon/evenings, which traffi c jam at the gate. Anyone with ‘out in nature’ even as we enjoyed the doesn’t make it very useful either. kids would understand the frustra- comfort of our cabin. From our living However, the positive aspect of tion of this delay, but two Center Parcs room we saw only forest. The cot- the size of the park is the constant characters arrived to entertain the chil- tages are positioned in a way to afford sense of being in the beautiful world dren. They had read the situation, and complete privacy. The fully retractable of natural wonders. Even with almost this made for a great fi rst impression. glass wall between the living room and a thousand cottages, our family felt We rented a mid-range Premium terrace helped complete the feeling of we were in a forest. We came face to Style cottage (we had considered the being immersed in the natural world. face with deer and wild Moufl on sheep high-end VIP Style with private sauna!) The Market Dome – the central during our stay. A 58-hectare nature and were happily surprised by the qual- building of the park – was 10 minutes reserve occupies the centre of the ity and amenities. The fully-equipped from our cottage by the most direct park, including a man-made river. For 66 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 exploring this river you can hire both though it was quite large with some paddle and electric-powered boats. big buildings, we always felt in an inti- The park's Eden Cottages are well Center Parcs has embraced a “har- mate setting sized for children. equipped and priced at three dif- mony with nature” theme, and we were Our kids had the opportunity to ferent levels. Families can enjoy able to find ample evidence that they romp with goats, look at cows, and extensive outdoor activities or find have been faithful to this mission. mingle with chickens and turkeys. indoor fun at the waterpark Buildings feature information about They went to the riding school and energy savings and the natural plants rode the ponies through the park. that provide a host of benefits. The Both the outdoor as well as the large traverses and other adrenaline-pro- development might consider promot- indoor playground were themed as a ducing activities. There’s a course for ing this benefit even more boldly, so farm area, made from natural materi- everyone – from easy to advanced guests don’t have to look for it. Guests als, with all kinds of play options for – and even an indoor version. Other are there to have fun, so a little more children. A small remark here – some recreational opportunities include effort might be needed to stress the extra activities for the very small ones standard offers like tennis, mini-golf, environmental benefits being offered. would be a great addition – our two- and soccer, but also less regular activi- year-old toddler didn’t find much to do. ties like paintball and archery. FAMILY FUN Another way this park distinguishes The Market Dome is fully inte- A highlight of our stay was a daily itself from competitors is the number grated into the nature theme, and we visit to the children’s farm. I know of recreation options it offers to adult felt as if we were entering a tropical some top theme park designers joined guests, including a professional 'High rain forest when we ventured inside Center Parcs and I could immediately Adventure Course'. This allows you – trees and foliage everywhere. The see that they took care of the fam- to go from tree to tree via suspended Dome hosts a reception area, tourist ily-friendly design of this place. Even bridges, passageways, Tyrolean information, souvenir shop and a fully- ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 67 MYSTERY SHOPPER The Domaine des Trois Forêts opened in June 2010 and is currently the company's largest site stocked supermarket. There are also a number of dining options, including PARK CREDENTIALS an Italian restaurant, gourmet restau- rant, express counter and buffet. We Center Parcs Europe now operates were pleased that this place had a 20 holiday parks – covering the childrem's playground to keep them Netherlands, Belgium, Germany occupied as we relaxed. and France. In January 2011 it took over six holiday villages from MAKING A SPLASH sister organisation Sunparks, taking The Market Dome is the entry way to the portfolio from 14 to 20. Trying out the High Adventure Course one of Center Parcs most famous fea- tures – Aqua Mundo, the swimming Facilities at Domaine ■ Outdoor activities include a High paradise. My kids couldn’t wait to get des Trois Forêts include: Adventure Course, archery, paintballing there, and their sky-high expectations ■ Eden cottages are offered at and electric-powered boats. were exceeded. They spent their entire three levels - Comfort, Premium ■ Special facilities for children time in Aqua Mundo splashing, whoop- and VIP. There are also larger include a farm, pony riding, ing, yelling and having a blast. cottages for 10-12 people adventure course and mini disco It is very well designed, retaining an ■ Aqua Sana nature spa ■ There are eight bars and restaurants intimate, friendly feel even though it is ■ Aqua Mundo water leisure centre on site, including the Suzette Pancake enormous. We never had the feeling ■ Sports Hall offering indoor activites House and the Marche du Monde buffet of being engulfed by a thousand other such as badminton, trampolining, people. The place features four areas table tennis and petanques. Guests PRICES: Last-minute offers advertised – Relax, Kids, Action, and Outdoor – can also try out the Rolling Bubble for July 2011 start at `539 for a so if you weary of one activity you just where they can roll around in a weekend in a premium cottage, move on to a new kind of water fun. 3m-diameter transparent bubble and `649 for a VIP cottage The lush vegetation added to our enjoyment, and the place has an ingenious acoustical design so that loved everything, including the wave can find something interesting and the kids' screaming and squealing machine, slides, wild water river, challenging. The only challenge Center rarely bothers the adults. Our kids waterfall/climbing wall and something Parcs faces is the distance between I’d never seen before – a swimming the cottages and the activity centres. pool with a sand pit in the middle. By using the train to fuller capacity, SCORE CARD (Out of 10) Someone obviously asked kids what they could easily tackle this problem. they wanted, because they loved this! This makes their challenge easier than COTTAGES ...... 9 Center Parcs has created a new mine – next time taking my kids to a ACTIVITIES ...... 9 benchmark for bungalow parks. place offering more fun and quality INFRASTRUCTURE ...... 6 Families stay in very comfortable cot- than Les Trois Forêts. ● CLEANLINESS ...... 9 tages in a lush natural environment OVERALL ...... 8.5 that helps you forget the stress of eve- Bart Dohmen is managing director of ryday life. Every member of the family BRC Imagination Arts Europe 68 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 The magazine for professionals and senior policy-makers. Leisure Management looks at the latest trends and developments from across all leisure markets HTTP://WWW.LEISURESUBS.COMSUBSCRIBE ONLINE WWW.LEISURESUBS.COM OR CALL OUR SUBSLINE +44 (0)1462 471930 Special offer Add leisure ADD THE FOLLOWING TO YOUR SUBSCRIPTION… opportunities to your subscription for only £10 (UK only) attractions management leisure opportunities Everything you want to know about the visitor Fortnightly leisure recruitment, training, attractions market. From theme parks, waterparks property and news publication which gets you the and zoos to museums, expos and science centres. right job or the perfect candidate for your vacancy health club management sports management Keep up to date with the health & fi tness market For sports managers and policy makers who want by reading the leading title for the industry. to keep briefed on the latest developments in facility Includes Spa, Europe and World specials provision, funding, policy partnerships and development spa business spa opportunities – for free! Read about the investors, developers, Fortnightly international spa recruitment, designers and operators who are shaping training and news publication. the rapidly emerging global spa sector For your FREE copy visit www.spaopportunities.com SENIOR’S SOLUTIONS NUMBER 20 Personal and corporate spending are being squeezed in these hard times, but that does not mean a hospitality business cannot prosper with the right controls, says Grahame Senior The alchemist’s trick How to get more from less t seems likely that your forecast accountants and law- Hour-by-hour, day-by-day, sales for the next 12 months yers and agreeing fi xed meal occasion by meal I are looking level with last year at charges in return for a occasion, the value best. With infl ation rising, your regular schedule of pay- of the product offered margins will be squeezed and any prof- ments can shave costs. is eroded by the tick- itability you managed to eke out last Another impor- ing of the clock. If it’s year will be a challenge to match in tant area of potential not sold, the value is the coming year. How can you gener- resource is the right gone forever. You can’t ate a better result from an effectively relationship with the sell anything to people lower income – in essence, more from right trade associations. who are not there. One less? Careful planning for the coming The British Hospitality of the most important year and rigid adherence to that plan Association, the things to remember is could get you a surprisingly positive Association for Small Businesses – all that only when customers and guests result. Key factors to consider are: have purchasing and resource arrange- are actually in your establishment are ments which can help you cut some they able to add to your revenue. For Cost controls of your one-off costs and make use of that reason, providing offers which One of the by-products of such a their pre-arranged support systems. give the customer more reason to stay tough economic climate is that more Controlling costs at the planning for longer can make good sense. or less everybody is in the same boat. stage and then sticking rigidly to the It means that all suppliers are likely budget is the best way of moving your Creative off erings to be much more susceptible to argu- margin up just a bit in the coming year. Take a look at the traditional rhythm ments about cost control. Nobody of your bookings and look for those wants to lose a sale – there aren’t Positive pricing periods when demand is not so high. that many other fi sh in the sea. Take It would be a foolhardy operator who The dog days of February, the shoul- a look at your annual overhead budget decided that the best way to succeed der weeks between the bank holiday and also at your purchasing regime. was to increase prices across the hotspots. For operators with accom- Talking to your regular suppliers and board. Just like you, most of your cus- modation, offering longer stays for a taking a positive approach to driv- tomers are also feeling the pinch. It fi xed price can make a lot of sense. ing costs down, rather than querying means that people are not looking to If they’re staying in your establish- invoices retrospectively, is a better pay more year on year as they tend to ment, they can eat there and use way to do it. do in the good times. They want value. the facilities. If you’re not full, you’re There is a lot of competition for The best way to give value but also not getting a return anyway. It’s no business in the area of energy costs. increase your revenue is to offer more accident that the middle class super- Shop around, look for the right deals added-value products and services. In markets such as Waitrose and M&S and buy at the right time – particularly effect, more for more. are loaded up with three-for-two offers. if your main fuel is oil. Another area One of the underlying factors of the They too are fi ghting to get more out of of cost control is that of professional leisure and hospitality industries is the market by offering more. The prin- charges. Working with advisors like that they sell a perishable product. ciple of added value is that by planning THE THREE P’S FOR UNLOCKING A BETTER YIELD Planning makes it possible – three factors to evaluate and improve 1 Purchasing - Make sure you review 2 Pricing – Review your prices and look 3 People - Staff utilisation is key. the whole purchasing approach and your for those areas where added value pric- Review the job specifi cation and oper- complete list of suppliers and evaluate ing – giving the customer more for more ating practices of the whole team and where you can make improvements. – can improve your yield. look to get everybody working smarter. 70 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 A GOOD ENTERPRISE THAT KEEPS ON GETTING BETTER 36 ON THE QUAY, EMSWORTH friend and I had a 10-plus mile walk around A Thorney Island in Hampshire, and the bracing sea air put us in the mood for a good lunch at this gem of a restaurant in Emsworth. George Rushton and I used to work together for the Rank operation and used to visit the Quay for lunch. We were thrilled to find out that what had always been good has now become very good indeed. They have been Michelin-starred for years, but their commitment to excel- lence in every aspect seems fresher than ever. From the efficiency with which they took the telephone booking to the allocation of the right table with space to lay out our maps and privacy to talk, they responded to each request with professionalism and commitment to cli- ent satisfaction. They even helped us with car parking. The wine list and appetisers were the perfect prelude to a great lunch. The succulent quail as starter and turbot as main course were perfectly balanced. The informed service (they told us where and how the quail and turbot had been brought up and educated) and unfussy skill with which they delivered the meal were exemplary. Prices had risen a fair bit since our last visit and it could be seen as expensive for a quick lunch. But our expectations were high and they did that wonderful thing seldom achieved even at the top of the market - they exceeded expectations and delivered real value for money. The Quay at Emsworth excels in both food and service We were not alone in thinking so, as the place was full. when to offer extra, you give more, sell more, and gain more. Be creative. If you’re already paying “The principle of added value is that by planning when for kitchen staff, reception and a front to offer extra, you give more, sell more and gain more” of house team, adding more meet- ing occasions in the week can be cost effective. Breakfast meetings, free meeting facilities with a lunch offer – a culture means that staff are more it’s expected to take – can be a very all can add more revenue into periods likely to be flexible about changes and effective way of improving efficiency. where costs are already committed. ways in which you can improve the effi- In the latter part of the 20th century, ciency of your operation. one of the biggest growth industries Staff culture Start with a review of what you do was logistics, where the principle was For most leisure and hospitality budg- and how you do it, what resources to shave costs by doing things ‘just in ets, the largest cost line is staff – the you use to deliver the products and time’. That same thought process can people who look after the guests and services you sell. Every large cus- apply very effectively in our industry. make everything work. Like suppliers, tomer-facing company has some Don’t over-staff when you don’t need staff today are increasingly realis- version or other of ‘The Book’ – the to and use all staff effectively for each tic about the way the world is. There operational handbook of the way they part of the process. may still be some residual actions in do things. It’s their bible – the guide- A by-product of this, of course, is the public sector trying to fight back book of good practice – that is used to that it shows all the team their impor- against ‘The Cuts’ but in the private look at each aspect of service delivery. tance and their place. The more sector, people are much less likely to Many smaller individual businesses professional you are, the more sup- be unrealistic. They want and need don’t have one. They simply do what ported, involved and motivated they their jobs and they realise that if they they do and communicate by word will feel. What your team wants most don’t deliver, there are plenty of peo- of mouth. Writing down the manual of all from you is continuity and secu- ple queuing up to take their place. of how you operate and deliver every rity of employment. Now more than The law of the market applies. Such service - who does what and how long ever, they need you to succeed too. ● ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 71 TO BOOK YOUR SPACE CALL THE SALES TEAM ON TEL: +44 (0)1462 431385 FAX: +44 (0)1462 433909 LEISURE DIRECTORY BE SEEN BY OVER 26,000 ACTIVE BUYERS EACH ISSUE ARCHITECTS CONSULTANCY LEISURE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS BOXALL SAYER Leisure Project Specialist Project Management Quantity Surveying ¬ Building Surveying Planning Supervision ¬ÊAccess Consultancy ]]]N[SHKXZYRKOY[XKIUS Tel: 01243 861631 boxallsayer.co.uk WEST SUSSEX LONDON ST ALBANS LIVERPOOL :VKIOGROYZYOTYVUXZYGTJRKOY[XKRKJ AV/SOUND PRODUCTS VXUVKXZ_JK\KRUVSKTZ ■ 77. YVUXZOTMTKKJGYYKYYSKTZY ■ 7RGTTOTMGVVROIGZOUTY GVVKGRY ■ 7XUPKIZ\OGHOROZ_ LKGYOHOROZ_ ■ 6VZOUTGVVXGOYGRY SGYZKXVRGTTOTM ■ -[TJOTMHOJY ■ ,IUTUSOIOSVGIZ 6LÀIKYOT!3UTJUT5UXZN:U[ZN,GYZ:U[ZN:U[ZN>KYZ >GRKY K!SGXZOTZG_RUX'N[SHKXZYRKOY[XKIUSZ! FLOORING DESIGN AND BUILD Tel: 01945 476973 www.abaudiovisual.co.uk Email. [email protected] FITNESS EQUIPMENT INSURANCE CONSULTANCY FINANCE LEISURE BUSINESS CONSULTANCY (since 1988) & Leisurexecutives Ltd. (senior interim placements) For a complete Member Experience Equipment · Entertainment · Technology · Services ¬ÊStrategies ¬ÊFacilities ¬ÊFunding ¬ÊServices Reviews ¬ÊCatering SPORT ARTS HERITAGE COMMUNITY EDUCATION Tel: 01276 404900, Email: [email protected] [email protected] 07976 259152 www.precor.com www.rqa.com WEB DESIGN & MARKETING To book your #)'(&-! # "& ( # # ' #' &* ' CONSULTANTS AND ( "$& ( # - &'. ,% & # ! 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Annual subscription rates are UK £38, Europe £49 rest of world £69, students UK £19 John +44 (0)1582 607970 % Leisure Management is published four times a year by The Leisure Media Company Limited, Portmill House, Portmill Lane, Hitchin, Herts SG5 1DJ, UK and is distributed in the USA by SPP, 75 Aberdeen Road, Emigsville, PA 17318-0437. Western Log Group Periodicals postage paid @ Manchester, PA POSTMASTER. Send US address changes to Leisure Management, Jan +44 (0)1462 471909 Forest Products Centre, c/o PO Box 437, Emigsville, PA 17318-0437 USA Cwmafan, Port Talbot, SA12 9AB The views expressed in print are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the publisher The Leisure Media Julie +44 (0)1462 471919 Tel: 01639 896715 Company Limited. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recorded or otherwise without the prior permission of the www.westernloggroup.com copyright holder. Printed by The Manson Group Printers. © The Leisure Media Company Ltd 2011 ISSN 0266/9102 ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 73 FINAL THOUGHTS PETER DE SAVARY Peter de Savary is an entrepreneur and philanthropist, whose business ventures have covered areas as diverse as the oil industry, shipping, property and hospitality. He talks to Magali Robathan about his approach to the leisure industry What are your plans for the next 12 Newport, Rhode Island, with a marina. ing to holiday in the UK, but our months, and for the longer term? There are a few left to sell and I Caribbean business is down by around I shall be concentrating primarily on believe it will prove to be a very satis- 30 per cent. my projects in Grenada and looking for factory investment. new business opportunities abroad. What has been your favourite [Peter de Savary’s latest develop- What roles do you and your wife project to work on? ments are the luxury Mount Cinnamon play in the de Savary business? They are all favourites, but I always resort hotel and the Port Louis I concentrate on overseas and foreign particularly enjoy the project I am development in Grenada. His past business, while Lana concentrates on doing at the time. projects include the Abaco Club in the the UK businesses. Bahamas, Skibo Castle in Scotland What do you look for in a potential and Cliveden Hotel in Berkshire] What have your hospitality businesses acquisition? had in common over the years? I have to find the property or business You recently bought a hotel They’re always unusual, with the same attractive and desirable for my fami- in the Cotswolds and a ly’s use and that of my friends. boutique hotel and pub in It must be in a location that has Devon. What attracted you We prefer being on the creative something unique about it. to these properties? Actually my wife, Lana de side and establishing the What do you consider to be Savary, is the owner of the Old businesses. Once they are your biggest achievement? Swan and Minster Mill in the Fathering five wonderful daugh- Costwolds and the Cary Arms successful, it’s time for us to ters, two of whom now work in in Devon. She was particu- find a new adventure the business. larly attracted to the Cary Arms because of its amazing location What have been your best and on Babbacombe beach. By the worst business decisions? same token, the Old Swan & Minster goal of “good fun, high standards and My best decision was taking on Skibo Mill has more than 60 acres of water excellent value in unique locations”. Castle (with 8,500 acres), the home of meadows, ownership of over a mile Andrew Carnegie, completely restoring of the lovely River Windrush, and 600 You seem to buy properties, it and turning it into a very successful years of history. develop them, sell them and move leisure business. Lana has completed a total refur- on to the next project. Is this a I haven’t had a worst. I’ve enjoyed bishment and redecoration at the Cary deliberate business strategy? them all in the leisure field, but my Arms, and plans to make some fur- It’s a deliberate strategy as we pre- least enjoyable business activity was ther additions at the Old Swan and Old fer being on the creative side and owning and running a funeral home! Minster Mill as appropriate. establishing the businesses. Once the businesses are successful, it’s time What drives you? Why did you choose to buy for us to find a new adventure. The thrill of the chase, accolades from the Vanderbilt Residences on customer and creating something that Rhode Island in the US? How has the recession affected you? will stand the test of time, where my The residences are very luxurious Our UK businesses have been less creativity has added value, enjoyment apartments on the waterfront of affected as (British) people are choos- and employment for others. ● 74 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011 WHY WEIGHT STACKS ARE HISTORY. milon training equipment is advantageous over conventional your personal settings. milon training systems are installed weight stack equipment because milon uses electronic motors in over 1500 health clubs today. to create resistance. milon’s machines produce 2 load types: concentric and eccentric weights. Weights are changed in To find out more about milon and to test drive our systems 1-kg increments. It gets better. call +44 (0) 800 0988 420. milon equipment is proven to be up to 30% more effective Are you ready for milon? than conventional equipment. All our machines are smart card www.milon.com controlled, each machine will set itself up automatically to DID YOU KNOW? 80% OF PEOPLE SAY THEY LIKE TO HEAR MUSIC WHEN THEY EAT OUT.* A recent survey revealed that almost 1 in 4 diners were prepared to spend 5% more on food and drink in restaurants that play recorded music versus those that don’t.* There is no doubt that music is good for business. The simple act of turning music on can make a huge difference to productivity and sales. PPL can make music work for you by offering licensing solutions for playing recorded music in public. A PPL music licence will give your business instant access to literally millions of songs – all for as little as 16 pence per day. For more information on how to obtain your PPL music licence† visit ppluk.com or call 020 7534 1070. To find out more on how music can work for you visit musicworksforyou.com. *MusicWorks survey of 2000 people, conducted March 2009 † If you play recorded music in public it is a legal requirement to obtain the correct PPL licence, failure do so may result in legal action. PPL is different from PRS for Music. PPL collects and distributes money on behalf of record companies and performers whilst PRS for Music collects and distributes money on behalf of songwriters, composers and publishers. Both licenses must be obtained to ensure all copyright holders are fairly paid. ppluk.com