www.leisuremanagement.co.uk LIW PREVIEW INSIDE
ISSUE 4 2012 VOLUME 32 NUMBER 4
MATT SPENCE On teaming up with the Rockefeller family
DANIEL GAUTHIER The co-founder of Cirque du Soleil on how his latest project is redefining the ski experience
Mark Sesnan GLL’s plans for the London Aquatics Centre and Multi-Use Arena
How Kensington THE WORLD’S and Chelsea is MOST INSPIRING putting culture PLAYGROUNDS at the heart of all development
LEISURE TOURISM HEALTH & FITNESS SPA SPORT ATTRACTIONS HOSPITALITY WHY IT WAS DESIGNED HOW IT WAS ACHIEVED WHAT IS MYRIDE®+? ICG® wanted to give users, instructors Through spectacular forward-motion Myride®+ is a beautifully designed and business owners a flexible and video, pioneering hardware and console to control video exclusively for more engaging way to experience and virtual programming, ICG® achieved Indoor Cycling. It makes classes more present Indoor Cycling. an effective balance of market-needed physically and socially engaging. features.
Join the Myride®+ revolution. Scan to watch ICG®’s latest movie or visit myrideplus.com. Find out more about ICG®, our specialist partner, at indoorcycling.com
www.matrixfitness.co.uk EDITOR’S LETTER
Email: contact’s full name @leisuremedia.com PARALYMPIC TRIUMPH SUBSCRIPTIONS Denise Gildea +44 (0)1462 471930 ’ve never been prouder [email protected] to be British than when CIRCULATION MANAGER watching the London The final, sweetest part of Michael Emmerson 2012 Paralympic Games. all is the way the Paralympic +44 (0)1462 471932 IComing off the back of such Games has encouraged EDITOR a successful Olympics, the more ordinary people to Liz Terry Paralympics has had a leg up +44 (0)1462 431385 that has propelled it from side- take up exercise than the MANAGING EDITOR line to centre stage in truly ‘dull Olympics’ – as it’s Magali Robathan spectacular style. aff ectionately known by +44 (0)1179 723103 And it could only really have Paralympic commentators CONTRIBUTORS happened in Britain – the Kate Cracknell birthplace of the Paralympic +44 (0)1462 471906 movement and a nation Kathleen Whyman where both disability sport and the needs of attributes and is enjoyable and challenging. +44 (0)1462 471918 people with disabilities have had systematic, And it isn’t all new news – many of the ath- MANAGING EDITOR/NEWS sustained and robust support for decades. letes who’ve become household names in Tom Walker It’s been stunning for many reasons – fi rst 2012 have been competing and winning med- +44 (0)1462 471934 and foremost in the fundamental way it’s als on the world stage for decades. It’s taken LEISURE-KIT.NET changed so many people’s view of disability high profi le TV coverage and London’s sell-out Martin Nash from being something that raises uncomfort- crowds to bring them to everyone’s attention. +44 (0)1462 471927 able feelings, to a point where they can look Channel 4 has also done an amazing job of PUBLISHER past the disability to the person and celebrate branding the Paralympics with its ‘Superheroes’ John Challinor +44 (0)1582 607970 their achievements as fellow human beings. adverts for Paralympics GB – the fi rst time the The world will never be the same again. creative might of the UK’s world class advertis- DISPLAY ADVERTISING Julie Badrick The fact Britain did so well in the Paralympics ing industry has been thrown behind disability +44 (0)1462 4719019 is due in part to longstanding policies which to raise profi les and change perceptions. David Hunt enable people with disabilities to go about their We laughed, cried and screamed our way +44 (0)1462 471902 lives and get involved in sport facing less obsta- through the Paralympics as competitors pulled Astrid Ros cles than those living in many other nations. out phenomenal performances of sheer ath- +44 (0)1462 471911 These include anti-discrimination laws and letic brilliance and now we have a new set of Jan Williams rights of access which are delivered both household names to inspire a generation of +44 (0)1462 471909 at national and local government level via disabled and able bodied athletes. ADVERTISING ARTWORK a whole raft of statutory services to ensure And the fi nal, sweetest part of all is the way Ed Gallagher infrastructure is accessible and the playing the Paralympics has encouraged more ordi- +44 (0)1905 20198 fi eld is as level as it can be. nary people to take up exercise than even the DESIGN But most importantly, sports governing bod- ‘dull Olympics’ (as it’s affectionately known Andy Bundy ies have committed to developing not only by Paralympic commentators), on the grounds +44 (0)1462 471924 access for people with disabilities, but also that ‘if they can do it, then so can I”. INTERNET adapted versions of sports such as sitting Dean Fox volleyball and wheelchair basketball so peo- Liz Terry, Editor Twitter @elizterry +44 (0)1462 471900 ple with disabilities can choose a sport which Read leisure management online: Emma Harris accommodates their physical strengths and www.leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital +44 (0)1462 431385 Tim Nash +44 (0)1462 471917 Michael Paramore The Leisure +44 (0)1462 471926 Media Company publishes: FINANCIAL CONTROL Sue Davis +44 (0)1395 519398 CONTACT US: Leisure Management works in partnership with FINANCIAL ADMIN Denise Gildea The Leisure Media Company Ltd, Portmill House, +44 (0)1462 471930 Portmill Lane, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 1DJ UK CREDIT CONTROL Rebekah Scott SUBSCRIPTIONS: [email protected] +44 (0)1462 431385 Tel: +44 (0)1462 471930 Fax: +44 (0)1462 433909
ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 3 CONTENTS
IN THIS ISSUE...
Arts at the heart of the community, p36 Dan Snow is evangelical about heritage, p28
The world’s most amazing playgrounds, p44 Legacy: 2012 Aquatics Centre opens to the public in 2014, p40
Leisure Management news 28 dan snow 40 interview 6 World Leisure It’s vital to embrace new media and mark sesnan 8 Hospitality encourage the next generation of The MD of GLL talks to Ian Freeman 10 Commercial museum and heritage visitors, says about winning the contract to operate 12 Health and Fitness the British historian and tv presenter. two of the Olympic venues, expanding 13 Sport Kathleen Whyman finds out why into play and libraries and the 14 Attractions challenges for the industry 16 Public Sector 30 interview 18 Spa matt spence 44 building imaginations 19 Property From a family farm to a partnership From pods high up in the trees to with the Rockefeller family, luxury self a park made from abandoned oil 20 design news catering company Natural Retreats platforms, we take a look at some of From the Royal Botanic Gardens has come a long way. Matt Spence tells the world’s most amazing playgrounds Edinburgh to Peru’s latest hotel and Magali Robathan about the journey spa, we look at what’s new 50 a ray of sunshine 36 creative spirit The new generation of solar power 22 architect’s focus The Royal Borough of Kensington and can use the sun’s energy to produce todd schliemann Chelsea is aiming to be the first local electricity even on a cloudy day. It’s The founding partner of Ennead authority to put culture and the arts great news for the leisure industry Architects talks about the design of the at the heart of all future development. in particular, says The Energy Desk’s iconic Natural History Museum of Utah Magali Robathan finds out more Laura-Clare Davies
4 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 ISSUE 4 2012
After the war - Croatia’s comeback, p56 Daniel Gauthier, co-founder of Cirque de Soleil, is revolutionising the ski experience, p52
Natural Retreats’ Matt Spence on his deal with the Rockefeller family, p30 Fitness: Werner and daughter, p62
52 aiming high 62 last word READER SERVICES Cirque du Soleil co-founder Daniel doug werner Digital magazine Gauthier is setting out to shake up the When health club professional Doug Read Leisure Management online leisure industry once more with his Le Werner and his nine-year-old daughter leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital Massif du Charlevoix project. Professor teamed up to improve her fitness levels, Terry Stevens reports on the project, the results were so impressive, they News & jobs which incorporates a ski mountain, decided to write a book about them For jobs and news visit the touring train and hotel and restaurants Leisure Management website at 66 leisure industry week 2012 www.leisuremanagement.co.uk 56 pearl of the adriatic We take a look at what to expect from Attention buyers! Croatia is now emerging from its this year’s LIW, with all the highlights Use our product search engine to find war-torn years as a luxury tourist and a few brand new features, plus the suppliers and get innovation updates destination, with iO Adria one of the Olympic athletes who’ll be answering www.leisure-kit.net first leisure operators to put up its flag. your questions about sport and fitness Kath Kudson reports Subscribe: 72 LIW exhibitor news Sign up for Leisure Management at 60 senior’s solutions The companies exhibiting at LIW leisuremanagement.co.uk/subs or call: +44 (0)1462 471915 We’re always striving to improve, but give us a sneak preview of their latest it’s important not to alienate loyal offerings and news Buyers’ guide: customers with unnecessary changes, For suppliers of products and services argues Grahame Senior 114 leisure directory in the leisure markets, turn to p104
ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 5 World leisure news
=fliJ\Xjfejj`^ej[\Xckf fg\iXk\J\i\e^\k`cf[^\ @D>j`^ej[\Xc]fiDXim\cgXib Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is to Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari take over the operation of Bilila Lodge in (IMG) Group has signed a Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park aft er new licence deal with Marvel signing an agreement with the property’s Entertainment to develop a owner. Th e deal will come into eff ect dur- branded attraction in Dubai, ing the third quarter, with the property United Arab Emirates. to be renamed Four Seasons Safari Lodge Marvel Adventure will be Serengeti. James Kostecky has been named an indoor family entertain- as general manager of the lodge. ment centre and is due to Facilities at the lodge include a 4,000sq open in late 2013 as part of a ft (372sq m) spa with six standalone treat- new 1.2 million sq ft (111,484sq ment rooms. All of the treatment rooms m) themed destination in the contain a full shower/steam shower, while City of Arabia development. one off ers dual soaking tubs. Work has now started on constructing the 350,000sq Work has started on the Marvel-branded family entertainment facility ft (32,516sq m) Marvel Adventure complex, which is set to include working with the IMG Group to bring some of retail and dining facilities. Marvel’s most popular characters to Dubai.
image: romakoma/flickr A number of interactive experiences based “Whether it’s having fun at one of the on Marvel characters also form part of the entertainment experiences, hanging out with plans for the new attraction, in addition to friends and enjoying a meal or collecting the expansive common areas and facilities. latest Marvel gadgets and action fi gures, there Marvel Entertainment International presi- is truly something for everyone at Marvel dent Simon Phillips said: “We are thrilled to be Adventure.” Details: http://lei.sr?a=d9x0T
Latin America and US markets remain strong ?I>1CXk`e8d\i`ZXc\X[j ((e\njgXjgcXee\[]fiI\j\eZ\[li`e^)'(* _fk\ciXk\j^ifnk_ Management company Th e latest data on hotel rates has revealed Resense Spa is set to open 11 a fragmented global picture, with Latin new spas during 2013 as part America and the US showing signs of recov- of a larger expansion strat- ery, while the Eurozone is still struggling. egy. Three of the new spas According to the latest bi-annual hotel will be operated as full-service survey from Hogg Robinson Group, the Resense Spas while the other strongest growth in hotel rates during the eight will be managed under the fi rst half of 2012 took place in Latin America. Kempinski, Th e Spa brand. Mexico City reported the highest increase Th e Resense Spas – described in room rates at 30 per cent, as growth in as the ultimate European lux- demand, coupled with a lack of new open- ury spa experience – have been Resense Spas plans to have 80 spas operating by the end of 2015 ings, drove an aggressive increase in rates. uniquely tailored for each loca- Across the wider Latin American region, tion. Th e fi rst Resense Spas will be situated in as a luxurious, seasonal concept and the preferred the Brazilian cities of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Accra, Ghana (at the Kempinski Hotel Gold suppliers are Elemental Herbology, Daniele de Paulo reported increases of 15 per cent and Coast City); Cairo, Egypt (as part of Kempinski Winter and Th émaé – although brands will be cho- 23 per cent respectively. Hotel Royal Maxim); and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia sen according to spa location and target market Key destinations in the US – including (at the Kempinski Hotel Riyadh). and have been adapted for Kempinski. Th e product New York and San Francisco – all saw aver- Th e Kempinski hotels that will host the new house for Resense will be announced shortly. age hotel room rates rise in the fi rst half of Kempinski, Th e Spas are in Austria, Saudi Arabia, A joint venture between Kempinski and consul- 2012 as business activity increased in line Kenya, Namibia and Oman, while three more will tancy Raison d’Etre, Resense currently has 40 spas with economic performance. open in China. Kempinski, Th e Spa is described under contract. Details: www.resensespas.com Th e fi nancial crisis aff ected average room rates across the Eurozone, leading to rate decreases in key European cities – notably in Jp[e\p8hlXi`ldkfi\cXleZ_XjJ\XC`]\XkkiXZk`fe Barcelona, Spain, where rates fell by 22 per cent. Madrid and Dublin also reported 2 and Sydney Aquarium is to relaunch as a Sea Life- to bring the Darling Harbour-based aquarium 6 per cent rate decreases respectively. branded attraction in September following a under the Sea Life banner. Th e transformation Elsewhere in the world, hotel rates in six-month overhaul – its fi rst major redevel- of the attraction has included the creation of 14 India were driven down by the country’s opment since opening in 1988. newly-themed zones, such as the Shark Walk; economic slowdown and by a lack of capi- Merlin Entertainments has invested AU$10m a Tropical Bay of Rays habitat; an interactive tal for new investments. (US$10.5m, €8.6m, £6.7m) as part of its eff orts Touch Pool; and a Shipwreck area.
6 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 World leisure news
=`ke\jj=`ijkXZhl`i\j]fli NfibjkXikjfeNXijXngifa\Zk ZclYj`e;lYX`]ifd?XppX A groundbreaking event has Fitness First Middle East has taken over taken place in order to mark a chain of community health clubs for- the start of construction work merly operated under the Hayya brand in at Adventure World Warsaw – Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Th e deal will a new theme park at Grodzisk see four full-service clubs incorporated in Mazowiecki, Poland. the Fitness First estate, with each rebranded The development of the as Fitness First sites. However, all four will 240-hectare (593-acre) attrac- maintain their unique family focus. tion is intended to provide The clubs – Fitness First Al Manzil, Poland with a comparable Fitness First Lakes, Fitness First Meadows experience to other European and Fitness First Town centre – will all theme parks, such as Europa- be grouped under the Fitness First Park in Rust, Germany. Community clubs umbrella. Companies involved with the development include JoraVision, Vekoma Rides Adventure World Warsaw aims to become one of Europe’s leading parks Manufacturing and AGS Architects – all based in Th e Netherlands, as a consortium of private and institutional inves-
well as Poland-based RCK and Imtech. tors registered in Luxembourg – Las Palm. image: ER_09/flickr German water ride manufacturer Hafema Adventure World Warsaw executive man- and consulting fi rm Tebodin will also work aging director Steven Shaiken said: “Th e scale on the construction of the €400m (US$490m, of Adventure World Warsaw is without prec- £312m) Adventure World Warsaw, which is due edent in Eastern Europe.” for completion in 2014 and is being funded by Details: http://lei.sr/?a=S3N5N Spanish clubs could suff er membership losses AXgXeËjÔijk
ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 7 Hospitality news
=lie`kli\^`Xek@B<8kf cXleZ_Yl[^\k_fk\cZ_X`e )'()>Xd\jÊn`ccY\e\ÔkËj\Zkfi The parent company of furniture giant Th e UK sector “will eventu- IKEA has announced plans to launch ally enjoy” benefi ts from the a ‘budget design’ hotel chain for the London 2012 Olympic and European market. Inter IKEA, which owns Paralympic Games despite a the intellectual property rights to IKEA, is slow July, according to PKF considering more than 100 locations and Hotel Consultancy Services. it is understood that negotiations are at an In its latest preliminary fi g- image: yampi/shutterstock.com advanced stages for sites in Germany, the ures, London saw room rates UK, the Netherlands and Poland. increase 17.3 per cent for the Th e hotels will likely be operated by an month. However, occupancy established hotel management fi rm out- fell 14.9 per cent and rooms side the IKEA group of companies, with the yield was down 0.2 per cent. properties being owned by Inter IKEA. Meanwhile, a 4 per cent growth in regional hotels’ room rate was more than off - set by a 5.7 per cent decline in London hoteliers saw room rates grow 17.3 per cent, but occupancy fell occupancy, which led to a 1.9 per cent drop in rooms yield. as amongst the best Olympics in recent his- PKF Hotel Consultancy Services part- tory,” said Barnard. ner Robert Barnard said the results for July “I’m confident that the hotel sector will remained impressive, despite “not much evi- eventually enjoy the benefi ts of the Games dence of an Olympic-inspired uplift ”. – although probably not until aft er the last “We have seen the country’s reputation athletes have boarded their planes home.” boosted by what have been widely recognised Details: http://lei.sr?a=w2m3x One of Travelodge’s UK budget hotels KiXm\cf[^\jX]\^lXi[j 9;Cj\Zli\j-%,dkfYl`c[Xe[ileJ_\kcXe[_fk\c ]lkli\n`k_i\jkilZkli`e^ BDL Management has secured a £6.5m fund- hotel to be located in Brae. BDL’s management UK budget hotel group Travelodge has ing package from the Royal Bank of Scotland contract will last 10 years. moved to secure its long-term future aft er (RBS) towards the development and operation It is expected the 100-bedroom property will agreeing a fi nancial restructuring, while of a new hotel in the Shetland Islands. primarily accommodate workers on a new gas also initiating a Company Voluntary RBS’ Corporate and Institutional Banking project – ensuring high occupancy rates. Arrangement (CVA). arm has provided the funding, with the new Details: http://lei.sr?a=o6o1K The chain worked with investors GoldenTree Asset Management, Avenue Capital Group and Goldman Sachs to implement the restructuring, which will JkXinff[YiXe[glYc`j_\jdfY`c\i\j\XiZ_ see £75m injected into the group. Travelodge’s portfolio will receive a £55m Four Points by Sheraton, the investment to refurbish 175 hotels start- hospitality brand owned by ing early next year, while its debt will be Starwood Hotels and Resorts, reduced from £635m to £329m. has published new research examining the mobile device habits of business travellers. image: jiang dao hua/shutterstock.com JZfkk`j_Z`k`\jXdfe^kfg StudyLogic surveyed 6,000 8 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 VAC 2012 the annual National Conference of Visitor Attractions thursday 11 october 2012 Where? The QEII Conference Centre, London. Who? You, if you are an owner, manager or marketer of a visitor attraction, an opinion former, a tourism or heritage professional. PLEASE VISIT THE WEBSITE TO SEE FULL DETAILS AND REGISTER NOW! www.vac2012.co.uk The VAC2012 programme includes: • Dan Snow’s keynote on Inspiration, Insight and the Future for Heritage • Social Media and User Generated Content – a Marketing Masterclass • 2012 Review of Results (Jubilee, Cultural Olympiad, Olympic Games) – and the pointers for future success • Attractions and the Visitor Economy • Managing Volunteers for Success • Promotional Pricing – Ensuring profit, and avoiding problems and pitfalls • The VAC + Farrer’s Legal Briefing Follow us on Twitter @vac_conference #vac2012 SUPPORTING SPONSORS OFFICIAL PUBLICATION Supported by Commercial news GlYc`ZZfejlckXk`fe]fi (,'d Michel Terner speaking at the business summit Fcpdg`Zj[\c`m\iLB @J>e\kj-(d[\Xc]fij`ok_:\ek\igXiZj c\`jli\Ylj`e\jjYffjk Construction firm ISG has Th e government has vowed to capitalise on secured a £61m deal to build the impact of London’s Olympic Games on the accommodation element the UK economy aft er businesses secured of a new Center Parcs holiday deals worth up to £14bn in recent weeks. village in Bedfordshire. During the Games, leading government Center Parcs Woburn fi gures such as chancellor George Osborne Forest will be the operator’s were among 35 ministers to meet with fi ft h UK village and the proj- around 3,000 business leaders and global ect will see ISG deliver 625 representatives. Brazilian vice president lodges across the 365-acre Michel Terner and UK deputy prime min- (148-hectare) site, which is ister Nick Clegg hosted the Brazil Business due to open in spring 2014. Summit on 11 August to forge partnerships Commencing in November, between the two nations. the 59-week fast-track con- struction scheme will lead to Work to start the accommodation element will commence in November the creation of Woodland, @ek\ikX`ecXleZ_\je\n Executive and Exclusive lodges confi gured Private equity giant Blackstone, Center DXclbfYiXe[ around woodland clusters. Parcs’ owner, will invest £100m into the ven- When completed, the £250m village will also ture while four UK banks – RBS, Barclays, Th e operator of the Walkabout chain of include a 75-bedroom hotel, an Aqua Sana spa HSBC and Lloyds Banking Group – have com- bars, Intertain, has launched a new late- and two main centres housing indoor sports mitted to a loan of approximately £150m. night concept called Maluko. facilities, a swimming pool and restaurants. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=Q7e0K The first new Maluko site opened in Leeds in early August following a £500,000 refurbishment and redesign of a formerly :Xd\cfk[\]\Xk\[`e?\Xck_Cfkk\ipc\^XcZ_Xcc\e^\ Risa-branded property in the city centre. Th e launch of the Tiki-style Maluko National Lottery operator Camelot has been Lottery to “position itself as a direct rival to the bar concept is part of Intertain’s larger defeated in its legal action against the Gambling National Lottery” and has labelled the High redevelopment programme, which has Commission, which approved The Health Court decision as “legally fl awed”. seen Walkabout bars in Watford, Henley, Lottery’s license to operate in the UK. Th e National Lottery operator has now con- Liverpool and Temple all receive signifi - According to Camelot, a loophole in the fi rmed its intention to appeal the ruling. cant renovations. Gambling Act 2005 has allowed Th e Health Details: http://lei.sr?a=t6P2n 10 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Do you really know “Imagine the numbers of visitors we get coming in for tea. And most of them want Tetley.” Nicola Spiers-Keleher, F&B Manager, Thorpe Park Strongly preferred With the highest domestic penetration of any tea brand (10 million* UK households!) Tetley is already the nation’s favourite tea for drinking at home. So it’s no surprise that it’s also the tea that people choose to drink out of home. That’s why more and more caterers are joining forces with Tetley! Call 0845 606 6328 or visit www.tetleyforcaterers.co.uk and fi nd out why you and Tetley are stronger together. NEW! MARKETING *Source: Nielsen June 2012 £10millionCAMPAIGN Health & Fitness news PD:8i\]liY`j_\jknfP" ;CCkfcXleZ_GKjkl[`fZfeZ\gk =`ke\jj^pdj`eCfe[fe YMCA London South West’s Y+ Fitness David Lloyd Leisure (DLL) gyms – Surbiton and Hawker Centre, has announced the launch of Kingston – are being transformed as part a high street-based personal of refurbishments at both locations. training concept, which will Th e 285sq m (3,068sq ft ) facility at YMCA be trialled in three locations Surbiton has already been unveiled follow- from the end of September. ing its facelift , with 32 stations of Precor cv Th e fi rst DL Studio site will equipment installed. open on Upper Richmond Meanwhile, the revamp of the 225sq Road in Putney, London, while m (2,422sq ft ) facility at YMCA Hawker a second location is expected Centre is part of a wider development and to follow in Winchester - sub- will feature a new studio when complete. ject to planning consent. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=z7M9b A third site is being planned in the centre of London and DLL is looking to roll-out the format on a wider scale. Th e fi rst three DL Studios repre- Th e fi rst DL Studio is due to open in Putney by the end of September sent a £500,000 investment. It is anticipated the new concept will pro- provides a complementary alternative to the vide one-to-one personal training sessions, traditional gym and brings an exciting new exercise classes and group training run by off er to the high street. DLL-qualifi ed instructors. “We are excited by the potential for this con- DLL chief executive Scott Lloyd said: “Th e cept, which fi lls a gap in the market.” creation of our new studio training concept Read more: http://lei.sr?a=I9l8e Britons’ healthy life expectancy is on the increase FEJ1LBi\j`[\ekjc`m`e^ =@8: 12 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Sports news ;\iYpXi\eX[\m\cfgd\ekdfm\j]finXi[ =le[`e^]fiJnXej\X nXk\ijgfikjZ\eki\ Multi-million pound plans to Swansea’s new 360 Beach and Watersports build a new velodrome and centre has been awarded £25,000 by sports centre near Derby’s Sport Wales to acquire equipment for its Pride Park Stadium have been beachfront hub. Due for completion in given the green light by the September, the new Mumbles Road facil- Environmental Agency. ity will focus on three main beach sports In a statement, the organ- and three main watersports – football, isation said it was satisfied rugby, volleyball, kayaking, powerkiting with the plans to build the and stand-up paddle boarding. centre on a former landfill Among kit to be acquired are 10 sit-on-top site. Th e approval clears the kayaks; seven stand-up paddle boards; foot- final hurdle for the £28m balls and volleyballs; and fl oodlighting. facility, which will include a Details: http://lei.sr?a=C4a6g 250m cycling track. FaulknerBrowns Architects are behind the design of Derby’s new arena A 1.5km (0.9-mile) out- door closed cycle trail, a sports infield Th e Derbyshire-based fi rm held off com- accommodating 12 badminton courts and petition from four rival bidders for the hospitality facilities will also form part of contract, which included BAM, Galliford Try the new centre. and Interserve. Designed by FaulknerBrowns Members of Derby City Council’s (DCC) Architects, the 14,500sq m (156,077sq ft ) multi- cabinet previously approved the appointment sport arena received planning permission of Bowmer and Kirkland as the preferred con- earlier this year. Th e new arena is due for com- tractor for the scheme, with Morgan Sindall pletion in early 2014. It also forms part of the named as reserve contractor. city’s wider Leisure Strategy. <=;Jlem\`cje\ngXik`Z`gXk`feZXdgX`^e S&P Architects designed the £20m development Ifk_\i_XdLe`k\[Ëj)'d A new campaign to promote participation E\nPfibJkX[`ldfg\ej at all levels – Pass Th e Baton – was unveiled by the English Federation of Disability Sport Rotherham United Football Club (RUFC) (EFDS) at the end of August ahead of the has returned to its home town aft er a four Paralympic Games in London. year absence, with the new £20m New York Th e organisation said it hoped the increased Stadium opening its doors. interest in the Paralympic Games would estab- Although the 12,000-seat venue was lish an inclusive legacy for disabled people. not at full capacity for its fi rst match – a Nine London Underground and three friendly against Barnsley on 21 July – the Newcastle Metro stations host the poster ele- Th e campaign promotes sport as accessible to all club confi rmed it will be fully complete in ment of the campaign in order to emphasise time for the start of the 2012-13 season. the availability of sport for all. Meanwhile, a fantastic opportunity to motivate more dis- S&P Architects designed the stadium, participants register online for information abled people in sport. which was built by Gleeds along with GMI on sport and exercise programmes. “Let’s get together and make more sporting Construction. 3E Consulting Engineers EFDS chief executive Barry Horne said: “We opportunities inclusive.” have also worked on the scheme. know the London 2012 Paralympic Games is Read more: http://lei.sr?a=2U1B4 Read more: http://lei.sr?a=0m6y0 Attractions news EXk`feXc=ffkYXccDlj\ld LBXii`mXc]fiIfm`fËj8e^ip9`i[j i\XZ_\jm`j`kficXe[dXib Manchester’s National Football Museum The first Angry Birds (NFM) has attracted 100,000 visitors in its Activity Park in the UK has first six weeks since opening on 6 July. been officially launched at As a result, it is likely to surpass its target Sundown Adventureland in of reaching 350,000 visitors in its first year. Nottinghamshire – a theme Entrance to the museum is free but exhibits park designed for children include exclusive paid-for interactives. under the age of 10. NFM director Kevin Moore said: “It’s The new visitor experience happened far quicker than even we had sees the digital world of Angry anticipated and validates all the reasons Birds combined with the we gave for moving the National Football physical world at Sundown Museum to Manchester in the first place.” Adventureland and will fea- Read more: http://lei.sr?a=y6q1t ture activities for children. Designed and manufac- tured by Kettering-based Adventureland manager Paul Tomlinson (left) with Chris Jones of Lappset Lappset, the Angry Birds Activity Parks encourage people to surren- and get active and this seems like a perfect way der their video game controllers in favour of to continue our mission. outdoor play. The activity areas are based on “Lovers of the digital game will hopefully the popular mobile game Angry Birds, pro- want to try our parks which combine fun and duced by Finnish company Rovio. exercise - both of which are extremely impor- Lappset UK managing director Chris tant for social and cognitive development.” Jones said: “As a company, we are very keen To read about the world’s first Angry Bird theme to encourage people of all ages to get outside park attraction visit: http://lei.sr?a=s3u2S The Dreamland park site is currently derelict >i\\ec`^_k]fiZfleZ`cËj ÊNfic[$ZcXjjË]lkli\]fiEfkk`e^_Xd:Xjkc\ ;i\XdcXe[:GFgcXej Nottingham residents are Communities secretary Eric Pickles has being given the opportunity to approved Thanet District Council’s (TDC) comment on “exciting propos- plans to serve a compulsory purchase order als” for the transformation of for Margate’s Dreamland site. the city’s castle into a “world- The council is looking to secure the land class tourist destination”. to move forward with the development of The Castle Working Group the world’s first heritage amusement park – a business-led partnership image: lee j hayward/flickr of historic rides and attractions. – has launched a consulta- TDC will now work to assume control tion into the plans, nearly 370 of the land before access can be granted – a years to the day after Charles move that will open up funding worth more I raised the Royal Standard at than £10m to deliver the scheme. Nottingham Castle. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=a0W3b Initial ideas outlined by the group include placing Robin Hood at the heart of the expe- The Nottingham Castle scheme is lead by The Castle Working Group DXZ\jgfejfijÊG_Xekfd rience and making more of IX`c`e^jËXk9i`k`j_Dlj\ld the cave network located under the building. The Grade I-listed Nottingham Castle cur- An exploration of Nottingham’s national rently attracts nearly 270,000 visitors a year, Mace is sponsoring the British Museum’s role in social protest and rebellion and the cre- while also hosting a range of events such as the ‘Phantom Railings’ project – a public art ation of a new visitor centre at the entrance to Robin Hood Pageant and Outdoor Theatre. intervention which is designed to focus on the castle are also among the proposals. Details: http://lei.sr?a=o4s8k London’s wartime memories. The multi-disciplinary firm is currently involved with the development of the muse- ,%,d]le[`e^]fiEfik_\ie@i\cXe[gfc`Z\dlj\ld um’s World Conservation and Exhibition Centre, which will open in 2014. The RUC George Cross Foundation has been history of policing across the island of Ireland ‘Phantom Railings’ is an interactive handed £5.5m from the Treasury towards a and will replace the existing Police Museum. sound sculpture using the movement of new museum at the Police Service of Northern The museum will cover policing devel- pedestrians to “evoke the ghost of a lost Ireland’s headquarters in Knock, Belfast. opments from the foundation of uniformed iron fence” removed during the 1940s. Located close to the Police Memorial policing in 1814 through to the present day. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=L1c5n Garden, the new attraction will examine the Details: http://lei.sr?a=z3X4Y 14 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 ExCeL London Exhibition Centre www.eagexpo.com \ For further information contact: Karen Cooke. Tel: +44 (0)1582 767 254 - mail: [email protected] Public sector news @jc`e^kfec\`jli\Z\eki\ i\fg\ej`ec\^XZpdf[\ Cfe[fe)'()kf`dgifm\Xgg\Xc Sobell Leisure Centre in north London has New research by VisitBritain reopened aft er serving as a practice venue suggests London 2012 will for volleyball athletes for the 2012 Games. improve the UK’s appeal, Team GB and 11 other national teams aft er 80 per cent of tourists used the sports hall during the Olympics, last year felt at least “very wel- which has been given a £250,000 revamp. come” during their stay. Lasting improvements for sports hall Th e tourism agency spon- users include a new sprung wooden fl oor, sored a question as part of and international-standard lighting. the Civil Aviation Authority’s Th e sports hall has now been returned poll of nearly 9,000 depart- to Islington Council and partner Aquaterra ing tourists, undertaken over Leisure and is once again fully open. the last three years. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=W1N3d In that time, VisitBritain reported a “steady improve- ment” in how welcome the visitors felt and in how likely Th e UK is expected to attract more inbound visits from abroad in 2013 those people were to recom- mend the UK as a destination. described as most welcoming, with pubs and English-speaking markets such as the US, bars coming in at 13 per cent. Canada and Australia were among those feeling VisitBritain director of strategy and com- most welcome, with 40 per cent of Americans munications Patricia Yates said: “Enhancing saying they felt “extremely welcome”. the world’s perceptions of a British welcome Attractions (22 per cent) and restaurants (21 will help us attract more visitors.” per cent) are most likely to be the fi rst point Read more:http://lei.sr?a=t4p3g BMX is now a rapidly growing sport in the UK 8:<XeefleZ\j(%)df]kfli`e^]le[`e^ 9DOjkXigXike\ijn`k_ Arts Council England (ACE) ZfleZ`ckfYl`c[e\nkiXZb has awarded more than £1.2m North Lincolnshire Council (NLC) has of grants to 11 organisations in unveiled a BMX track at Sheffi eld Park in the third round of its Strategic Scunthorpe, as part of a partnership with touring programme. international BMX rider Mark Harrison. The initiative aims to Th e council provided equipment, mate- increase arts access across the rials and land as part of the project, while country, particularly in areas Harrison – who comes from Scunthorpe where engagement levels are – designed and built the new track. currently low and where there NLC cabinet member for customer ser- is a reliance on touring. vices Carl Sherwood said: “BMX riding is a ACE is currently halfway rapidly growing sport and there is a short- through the inaugural year age of quality BMX tracks.” of the Strategic touring fund, Read more: http://lei.sr?a=t5z7s which has seen more than £5.7m distributed to arts ACE is currently halfway through the inaugural year of the touring fund organisations out of the total :$J8CKkiljkkfdXeX^\ £15m allocated for the year. An ACE spokesperson said: “It aims to Among the successful applicants in the third facilitate stronger relationships between arts Nfb`e^_Xd]XZ`c`k`\j round is a nationwide tour of artistic work by organisations and local promoters, who are on Wokingham Borough Council-owned lei- dead and disabled artists led by DaDa, as well the ‘supply’ and ‘demand’ side of touring.” sure facilities are now operated by a new as a workshop fronted by Home Live Art. Details: http://lei.sr?a=I3v3B trust linked to Leisure Connection. C-SALT – launched in July – will man- age Loddon Valley, Carnival Pool and St M`j`kJZfkcXe[cXleZ_\jZXdgX`^e]fiÊcXk\Yffb\ijË Crispins, with each of the venues retaining the Harpers brand and current facilities. VisitScotland is looking to capitalise on a “last had delayed their holidays as a result of London Th e charitable trust will reinvest any of minute surge” in potential domestic visitors 2012 and poor weather. the profi ts generated into improving facil- this autumn aft er announcing details of a £3m VisitScotland said that research undertaken ities, while also being able to benefi t from seasonal marketing push. by Travelsupermarket had shown 3 million VAT exemption, business rate relief and According to the national tourism agency, Brits could now be looking to holiday later other funding opportunities. there is evidence to suggest that UK residents than usual aft er delaying plans. 16 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 TARAFLEX ™ - PROMOTIONAL FEATURE DELIVERING SPORTING LEGACY SINCE 1947 Taraflex™ sports flooring is an ideal safe solution for younger users as well as for elite and professional play Taraflex™ sports floors, manufactured since 1947, offer a number of user and operator benefits – including optimum safety, comfort, performance and ease of maintenance. Taraflex™ is an ‘Approved’ surface by many national and international governing bodies of sport. Taraflex™ is also widely recognised and installed within schools, universities, and other learning facilities. Gerflor have more than 70,000 global sports and education reference sites. Contact us to find out more. WHY NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A NEW SPORTS FLOOR WITH THE TARAFLEX™ LEASE PLAN See How the New Taraflex™ Eco-Fit system compares to a traditional refurbishment ITEM TRADITIONAL NEW TARAFLEX™ TARAFLEX™ (based on 594sq m) SPORTS FLOOR ECO-FIT METHOD PAYMENT PLAN* UPLIFT OLD FLOOR £ 3, 975 £0 Total Cost of Project DISPOSAL OF WASTE £ 2, 380 £0 The GB handball £24, 982 PREPARATION OF SUB FLOOR £ 3, 524 £0 team, including Deposit £5,000 INSTALL NEW SPORTS FLOOR £ 28, 153 £ 22, 692 Holly Lam-Moores, LINE MARKING (8 game lines) £ 2, 290 £ 2, 290 Monthly choose to play on PROJECT TOTAL £ 40, 322 £ 24, 982 Payments £347 Taraflex™ PROJECT TIME 10 days 4 days Term – 60 Months POTENTIAL SAVINGS OF UP TO 40%! Call or email now to take advantage of our FREE SPECIFICATION ADVISORY SERVICE. Darren Wood – Sports Manager on 07836 366579 or [email protected] David Carter – Sports Specialist on 07850 217290 or [email protected] Visit www.gerflor.co.uk for further information Spa news ?`ckfeËjÊ]ffkYXcc_fk\cËkf ]\Xkli\clolipjgX Bf_c\ilem\`cje\njgXj\im`Z\j A spa is among facilities at Hilton A new range of therapeu- Worldwide’s fi rst UK dual-branded prop- tic and innovative services erty – the Hilton and Hampton by Hilton has been unveiled by Kohler at St. George’s Park. Waters Spa at three sites – Located at the Football Association’s Kohler and Burr Ridge in the (FA) new National Football Centre in US and St Andrews, UK. Burton upon Trent, the Health Club and Hydrotherapy services, Spa at St George’s Park will off er fi tness advanced massage technol- and spa facilities as well as an indoor pool ogy and experiences tailored and relaxation area. Th e Spa includes four for men and teens are among treatment rooms off ering treatments by the new introductions, with Comfort Zone, exclusively designed for all three now offering the the St George’s Park property. group’s Hamman Ritual. Accommodation is off ered in the 142-bed- The Kohler Waters Spa room upscale Hilton Hotels and Resorts fl agship location at Kohler’s hotel, and the budget 86-bedroom Hampton American Club Resort now by Hilton for the ‘value-wise’ guest. off ers 12 new services, includ- ing fi ve for those aged between Th e experiences tailored for teenage guests are among the new services 12- and 15-years-old. Kohler also off ers the WaveMotion Body A spokesperson said: “WaveMotion aff ords treatment and is now one of just four spas in the technician the opportunity to provide the US to have installed the technology, which enhanced stretches and movements person- provides 3D movement allowing guests to alized to each individual.” experience a feeling of weightlessness. Details: http://lei.sr?a=e1j1h JgXgcXee\[]fi>i\XkPXidflk_]XZ`c`kp Great Yarmouth’s Marina Th e spa will house treatment rooms and a pool Centre is in line for a redevel- GcXejjlYd`kk\[]fi opment which is set to include the introduction of a spa. :fie`j__fc`[XpgXib Great Yarmouth Borough Council (GYBC) is in discus- Espalier Developments has submitted a sions to fi nd funding for a £3m planning application for the construction regeneration of the iconic sea- of a spa at its planned £50m Millendreath front centre, which houses a holiday village in Looe, Cornwall, UK. 25m swimming pool, a health Th e developer has already revealed pro- and fi tness club, indoor bowls posals for 150 luxury holiday homes on the green and sports courts. site and has now made public its inten- The council is eager to tion to establish a luxury spa as part of the improve services at the resort. BFLS designed the building which venue – operated by the Great Plans for the Marina Centre include a day spa with treatment rooms will house the spa, which will include treat- Yarmouth Sport and Leisure ment rooms; a health and fi tness club; and Trust for the last six years. redevelopment of the Waterlane centre in an indoor swimming pool. Th e launch of a spa and wet areas – such nearby Lowestoft as a template for its plans. Following consultation with residents and as saunas, steamrooms and relaxation spaces Th e Waterlane centre opened earlier this the Cornwall Council, Espalier has specifi ed – is among the proposals being consid- year and now includes a thermal spa, body design adjustments to reduce the impact of ered in a business plan drawn up by GYBC, treatment rooms and a 100-station gym. the original concept, presented to residents which is understood to be using the recent Read more: http://lei.sr?a=k4N1X and the public earlier in the year. Th e proj- ect team includes Arup, the engineers which developed London’s Olympic velodrome and :_Xdge\pjXeefleZ\j\ogXej`fef]d\[`ZXcj\im`Z\j LDA, the landscape architects who master- planned the Olympic Park. Champneys, the UK destination spa group, has Meanwhile, the Tring Medical Centre now Rick Gibbs, director of Th e Millendreath expanded the medical services on off er at its off ers injury and pain management, weight Project, said: “Th e new building will off er fl agship site in Tring, Hertfordshire. management and detox services. Th ere’s also a facilities typical of high quality leisure spas Th e WellWoman and Wellman screening pro- Health Heart Programme off ering one-off heart with a focus on health and wellbeing.” grammes provide a full MOT, which includes checks, rehabilitation and prevention schemes. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=o8y4E blood tests and heart and lung function tests. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=u4L1t 18 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Property news Plans for a Japanese-style pod hotel and rooftop bar at London’s historic Trocadero BECOME complex have been given the green light by Westminster A FITNESS City Council (WCC). Criterion Capital is the developer behind the proj- LECTURER, ect, which will see the hotel accommodation being offered ASSESSOR OR across 583 bedrooms measur- ing between 9sq m and 17sq m VERIFIER (97sq ft and 183 sq ft). Plans to create a 495-bed- room hotel at The Trocadero were originally granted plan- ning permission in 2010. London’s historic Trocadero will house the new 583-bedroom pod hotel Current proposals for the LDN hotel have added 88 rooms and the roof- WCC’s Heather Acton said: “This scheme top bar within a space previously occupied by will help to breathe new life into one of Funland, an amusement arcade acquired in London’s most famous buildings.” 2005 that was phased out and closed in 2011. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=i7X3T BJCXZhl`i\jcXe[dXib9\c]ipi\jfik US firm KSL Capital Partners acquired the Belfry Hotel and Golf Resort – located amid 550 acres (223 hectares) of Warwickshire countryside. A subsidiary of the De Vere Group has been chosen to run the resort, with the group hav- ing owned the Belfry prior to £180 its sale to an affiliate of The Quinn Group in 2005. It is the world’s only four- time host of the Ryder Cup golf tournament and fea- tures a 324-bedroom property housing seven dining outlets, The Warwickshire property is the only four-time host of the Ryder Cup a 25,000sq ft (2,323sq m) fit- ness centre and simply THE spa. ESPA, Clarins, Solutions, Jessica, Fake Bake The Belfry’s spa – inspired by Eastern and Bare Escentuals products are used. promise and ultimate tranquility – currently KSL is now proposing to undertake a full includes 10 treatment rooms; a bespoke preg- revamp of the hotel – including all public nancy room; and a double treatment room. areas, bedrooms, dining outlets and meeting Elsewhere, the spa includes a manicure spaces to enhance visitor experience. and pedicure room and post-treatment areas. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=o9T0G 0dc\`jli\[\m\cfgd\ek]fi>cXj^fn=fikZfdgc\o Work started in August on the construction and five restaurants. Millar Construction UK of a £9m leisure development at the Glasgow has been appointed lead contractor. Contact us Fort Shopping Park on the eastern outskirts Glasgow Fort Shopping Park manager Phil > [email protected] of Glasgow in Scotland. Goodman said: “We can look forward to a The scheme will deliver a 45,000sq ft (4,181sq major extension to the park’s offering.” > +44 (0) 1480 410333 m) extension housing a Vue-branded cinema Details: http://lei.sr?a=k4E2h > activeiqacademy.co.uk/teaching ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 NEWS Design news From the Louvre’s Islamic Art Galleries to a Peruvian spa, we check out what’s hot Project Hotel Alfonso XIII Design The Gallery Location Seville, Spain Seville’s Hotel Alfonso XIII relaunched Seville’s iconic Hotel Alfonso XIII – which originally opened in 1929 – has reopened following a $25m restoration and reinvention by The Gallery, part of HBA’s London team. The hotel features 151 guestrooms, which have been designed in Moorish, Andalucian and Castilian styles to reflect Seville’s main design influences. It has two restaurants, a pool café and an American Bar. As part of the renovation, the existing fitness centre was The Hotel Alfonso XIII is owned by Starwood expanded and a yoga garden and sauna added. The existing glasshouses will be refurbished The products used within the spa use native plant extracts Project Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Project Hypnôze spa Design TBA Design Michael Simonato Location Edinburgh, UK Location Cuzco, Peru Royal Botanic Garden masterplan Andean spa opens in Cuzco The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh has announced details A new Andean spa has opened at Orient Express Hotels’ of its planned £40m masterplan development project. The new Palacio Nazarenas hotel in Cuzco, Peru. announcement follows the release of a £1.5m fund from The Hypnôze spa has a patio overlooking an outdoor pool; the Scottish government for the project, part of a £26m five treatment rooms, including a couple’s suite with a pri- funding package aimed at creating a greener Scotland. vate pool; a relaxation lounge; and a specialist practitoner’s The masterplan includes the creation of the Scottish room. The spa was created by Michael Simonato, who chose School of Botany & Horticulture, the refurbishment of the to highlight the historical significance of the building by creat- historic glasshouses and creation of new state-of-the-art ing glass floors in two of the treatment rooms. These expose glasshouses and improved visitor facilities. an oringal Inca wall and stream beneath the floor. 20 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Project Louvre Islamic Art Galleries Design Mario Bellini/Rudy Ricciotti Location Paris, France Louvre to launch new Islamic Art Galleries More than 2,500 objects from the PHOTO: © 2012 MUSÉE DU LOUVRE, DIST. RMN / ANTOINE MONGODIN Louvre’s collection of Islamic art will go on show across nearly 3,000sq m (32,292sq ft) of new gallery space at the Paris attraction on 22 September. The opening of the new Islamic Art Galleries – designed by architects Mario Bellini and Rudy Ricciotti – is the first major addition to the Louvre since I M Pei’s glass pyramid in 1989. Located across two levels within a contemporary glass pavilion, the gal- leries open up the courtyard of the Cour Visconti for the first time. The objects on show come from works within the Louvre’s collection, as well as the 3,400 items on perma- The galleries are covered by a gold iridescent steel roof nent loan from the Musée des Arts. The rooms feature four poster beds and plasma screen tvs The design was influenced by the local Shangaan culture Project No 11 Cadogan Gardens Project Ngala Tented Camp Design Paul Davis Design Nicola Merlo Location London, UK Location Kruger National Park, South Africa Boutique hotel opens in Chelsea Ngala Tented Camp unveils new look Previously a private members’ club, No 11 Cadogan The &Beyond Ngala Tented Camp has re-opened in the Kruger Gardens in London’s Chelsea has reopened as a hotel fol- National Park in South Africa after a major refurbishment. lowing an extensive programme of refurbishment. The camp’s six luxury safari tents feature outdoor show- The boutique hotel features 54 guest rooms and four ers, deep baths and private wooden decks overlooking the suites, a film noir-inspired bar and a British restaurant. seasonal Timbavati riverbed. The design was by Paul Davis, and aims to blend the origi- The camp’s interior designer, Nicola Merlo, used warm, nal Victorian features with modern facilities. Quirky features earthy tones and organic materials to reflect the local land- include a Mirror Room with mirrors covering the roof and scape and culture. Each tent sits on a raised platform, and walls and flat screen tvs concealed in antique picture frames. has been designed to minimise environmental impact. ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 21 ARCHITECT’S FOCUS The copper cladding blends with the landscape PHOTOS OF NHMU: © JEFF GOLDBERG/ESTO TODD SCHLIEMANN When designing a new home for the Natural History Museum of Utah, Ennead partner Todd Schliemann decided to let the landscape take centre stage. He tells Magali Robathan how he approached the project PHOTO: © BEN BAKER How did you begin your career? tion and beautiful aesthetics, but it My father was an architect, so as a also has to touch people and make child I sat at his drafting table and their lives better. There are many dif- used his equipment. I grew up in the ferent ways to do this, because each 1960s, when architecture wasn’t project is different. The infl uences that just about designing buildings; it you bring to bear on the buildings are was a way of life. Architecture was a all varied, but in the end architecture complete experience – it was about is a cultural statement. It has to be furniture and plates, how you served responsive to people. your food and lived your life. It had a powerful infl uence on me. How did you get involved with the It was also a time before computers; Natural History Museum of Utah? there were no video games, so in my I had designed the Rose Center for spare time I made things. Earth and Space at the American I studied architecture at Cornell Museum of Natural History in New University. After graduating, I taught York, so when the directors of the architecture briefl y and then came to Natural History Museum of Utah New York in 1979. I’ve been here ever started thinking about creating a new since. When I started working at the building, they sent us an invitation to Polshek Partnership, there were only interview. I went through several inter- ■ A vast atrium called the Canyon acts seven people working for the fi rm. Now views, and they selected us. as a central public space and displays it has a new name, I am one of the some of the Museum’s collection founding partners, and there are 170 What were the aims of people working for the fi rm. [It became the new building? teach. So fi rst and foremost, they Ennead Architects in 2010]. The Natural History Museum of wanted the right facility to house their Utah was previously housed on the collection, which is substantial. Then What is your approach University of Utah’s campus in an old they wanted the new museum to tell to architecture? library building, which was not at all the story of the region and its people. My philosophy is that buildings must suitable. The stacks that had con- serve people. Architecture is the tained books were storage for the What was your brief? mother of the arts. Its power is both Museum’s collections, it wasn’t air- I had complete freedom. Early on in the intellectual and emotional. Not only conditioned, and there wasn’t enough project, the museum’s director, Sarah must it incorporate sound construc- space to exhibit or tell stories or George, borrowed two jeeps from the 22 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2011 NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM OF UTAH, US THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM OF UTAH The Natural History Museum of Utah’s sq ft of gallery and education space, landscape of rock, soil, minerals and new $102m home opened in Salt Lake with the collections housed in new exhi- vegetation. By incorporating the use City in November 2011. The Museum, bitions designed by Ralph Appelbaum of recycled materials, local resources, which was established in 1963, is Associates. Nine dedicated, thematic photovoltaic energy, radiant cooling associated with the University of Utah, exhibition galleries explore the Sky, and the implementation of an extensive and was previously housed in the uni- Native Voices, Life, Land, First Peoples, storm water catchment and manage- versity’s campus building. Lake (Great Salt Lake), Past Worlds, ment system, the Natural History The Museum is an active research Our Backyard and Utah’s Futures. Museum of Utah is seeking LEED Gold institution, with a collection of more Designed by Todd Schliemann of certification, which would make it one than 1.2 million specimens and Ennead Architects, the new building of only 18 buildings in Salt Lake City objects. It features more than 41,300 was inspired by the region’s natural with that distinction. ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2011 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 23 ARCHITECT’S FOCUS PHOTO: © AISLINN WEIDELE/ENNEAD ARCHITECTS PHOTO: © RYAN R BROWNE PHOTO: © RYAN ■ Todd Schliemann’s other projects include The Standard hotel New York (both pictures, above) Governor of Utah’s office and we trav- base of the building, which is striated the region and explains them in a elled around the state for a week. to appear as if it is a land form, one way that people can understand. On We explored the natural landscape, that has built up over time. We cov- the opposite side of the building is talked to many people and got a feel ered the exterior with copper which the working part of the museum, the for Utah’s character – so that we could was donated by Kennecott Utah/Rio empirical part – the research and make the building represent that. Tinto, whose mines are across the val- conservation laboratories, collection After this trip, it became clear that ley. On the roof we have planted areas, storage and administration. Utah is all about the land and how peo- as if silt has fallen on the rock and The approach to the Museum is ple have engaged it for thousands of plants have grown there. We think it very important to the experience of years – people have been trying to deal blends quite nicely with the landscape. the building. You get out of your car, with what is a very harsh landscape Inside the building we created the enter the building, ascend from a com- for a long time. The building had to be Canyon, which is a 60-ft-high public pressed entry lobby to the voluminous, responsive to that; it had to feel like it space where people can gather and light-filled Canyon and then traverse, belonged to the land, but it also had to which can be used for events. It has through a series of switchbacks, to serve the people and tell the story of an almost church-like scale to it and is the top floor. The switchbacks, which Utah’s natural history in a way that peo- very inspiring because of its height. ascend 90 feet, allow you to climb and ple could understand whether they were The Canyon sets the stage for the not feel it’s an exhausting experience. six or 60 years old, if they were a native visitor experience. When you get peo- Then of course you’ve also got the American or an immigrant. ple into a museum like this you want views from the roof and the Canyon to make sure you’ve got them ready looking out across all of the Salt Lake Can you describe the building? to learn. The emotionally-charged Valley to the lake, with the mountains It sits on the edge of culture and the experience of getting into a space like in the background. edge of nature. It’s in the foothills of the Canyon makes it more than just the Wasatch Mountain Range, and is an intellectual exercise. It touches What is your favourite also on the edge of Salt Lake City. you as a human being first and then part of the museum? Our goal was to create a build- gets your mind working. The Canyon is the most interesting ing that would blend with nature and Then, of course, there are the galler- space to me. It really is a spectacu- appear to be like a rock outcropping. ies. Their sequence builds a narrative lar volume of space. As you go through We used board-formed concrete at the that encompasses many ideas from the museum you are always using the Canyon as a kind of way-finding refer- TODD SCHLIEMANN ence. You know where you are because you can always see back into it. Todd Schliemann is a found- and Space at the American Museum ing partner and design principal of Natural History in New York; How important was it for the in Ennead Architects. He studied Yerba Buena Gardens Center for the museum to be sustainable? architecture at Cornell University Arts Theater, San Francisco; The Everything we do is sustainable, in 1979 and Urban Design at the Standard, New York; The Natural whether the client asks us or not. In Architectural Association in London. History Museum of Utah; and Queens this case it was very important to Schliemann’s recent projects Borough Public Library, Flushing them, but also if the building is going include the Rose Center for Earth Regional Branch, New York. to be part of the land, it had better be responsive to the land in the long term. 24 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2011 NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM OF UTAH, US The design of The Standard has won awards including a National Design Award from the Society of American Registered Architects The building has a solar array on months whether we’ve got it (you have and the people. If I’m working in New the roof behind the planting. We have to wait until the building has been oper- York, it’s about the city and how people underground water retention tanks for ational for a year, so you can prove it engage it. The inspiration always comes controlling erosion on the site. The does what you said it would do). from people and the context. building is built into the side of the hill – half of it is buried – which creates a What reactions have you had Where is your favourite place? PHOTO: © NIKOLAS KOENIG PHOTO: © NIKOLAS fl ywheel effect, which keeps the build- to the museum’s design? I love the sea. I have always sailed ing cool in the summer and warm in It seems to be doing what we wanted. and it’s a fabulous thing. The ground the winter. There are all kinds of high- People get inspired when they see it. is always moving and you can go any- performance mechanical systems that where you want in the world – it’s a are running at peak effi ciency. Who do you admire in architecture? highway to everywhere. There’s some- We don’t have many windows in the Mostly dead architects, I’m afraid! thing upside down about it; everything museum because natural light can Eero Saarinen, who was a Finnish/ takes place underneath the surface. damage the items on display, so we’ve American architect in the 1950s and been able to create a very tight exte- 1960s, is a strong infl uence. He did What do you love about your job? rior envelope. This means there’s not some rather amazing buildings, none I love to make things. You can think up a lot of air passage between inside of which looked the same. He was an idea, and then make it. That’s very and out, which allows the building to extraordinarily talented – his architec- rewarding. Sometimes it doesn’t work use less energy. With a nice tight wall ture is very thoughtful and beautiful out the way you want, and sometimes the mechanical equipment doesn’t it does, but it’s a joy to try. have to work so hard to control the var- Where do you get your inspiration? iations in temperature and humidity. It comes from whatever context I’m And what do you enjoy the least? We’re working at getting an LEED working in. The context in the case of Probably clients who don’t want to Gold certifi cate for the museum. We the Natural History Museum of Utah understand the bigger ideas. Small should fi nd out within the next few was complex, and was about the land thinkers. I suffer fools badly. ● ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2011 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 25 A selection of products launched this year... R2 Dumbells Competition Kettlebells Visit us at stand H650 Competition Plates www.jordanfi tness.co.uk Functional Fitness. designed by us... inspired by you +44 (0)1945 880257 ATTRACTIONS DAN SNOW Encouraging museum and heritage operators to embrace new media and attract the next generation of visitors is vital, argues the British historian and tv presenter. Kathleen Whyman finds out why Snow at ancient heritage site Stonehenge Why are heritage attractions Facebook pages and games. What will be in your so important to the British? There are some good examples out keynote speech? This country takes its past very seri- there – the Museum of Modern Art I’ll give a sense of what I’ve learned ously. Two thirds of visitor attractions in America has millions of likes on from making television programmes. in Britain are heritage-based and more Facebook and there’s a multiplayer Historical documentaries, muse- people go to heritage properties than online game dedicated to armoured ums and visitor attractions all have football matches every weekend. warfare in the mid-20th century, which the same agenda. We’re all trying to This is partly because of our extraor- a relevant museum could link in with. appeal to a very wide audience, who dinarily rich, well-documented and can have a limited attention span if well-protected industry – we have the You are addressing these issues they’re out with their families. Writing buildings, the artwork, the documents in a keynote speech at the a script is similar to writing interpre- and the museums. We have wisely pre- Visitor Attractions Conference tation – you have to get the key facts served much of our past, which not all in October. How did you get across without wasting vocabulary. countries have done. involved with the VAC? We have to pitch our message just The Visitor Attractions Conference right and grab their attention. How can we get the younger (VAC) is the biggest conference of its I’ll also talk about the work I’m generation interested? kind in the UK and hugely well known. doing in new media with museums, We have to work out how they com- I met Ken Robinson, the chair of the such as a project with the Battle of municate and get information, and we Tourism Alliance, through my work Hastings site. Visitors can now down- have to use different tools, such as with the National Motor Museum load films about the battle that I at Beaulieu House, Hampshire and made for my tv shows. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. ABOUT TIMELINE WW2 I recently released an app about What work are you doing World War II and am currently helping for Kids in Museums? museums with their new media strate- Kids in Museums is a forum for young gies, so Ken Robinson thought it would people to express how they aren’t be good if I came along to the VAC. always made to feel very welcome The Timeline WW2 app is a defini- tive history of the Second World War. Using an interactive timeline, it brings to life the cataclysmic events of 70 years ago for a 21st century audience. More than 100 films from the archives of British Pathé and US broadcasters, commentary by Dan Snow and Robert MacNeil, 600 still images and 1,500 written entries give the viewer an insight into the events of WW2 in a completely new way. The National Motor Museum, Beaulieu House, UK 28 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is among the heritage attractions Snow is working with “HOW ARE OPERATORS GOING TO WORK WITH THE ASIAN MARKETPLACE IN THE NEXT 30 YEARS? WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE READY FOR THE RUSH WHEN IT COMES” in museums. I’m a trustee and have directly to the person who bought it. It’s chaired a few meetings and brought peo- just between me and them; it’s almost Portsmouth UK’s Historic Dockyard’s ple together to discuss how to make a personal relationship. Action Stations Helicopter experience museums more accessible for kids. Also, apps are fl exible. Once a book Sometimes we introduce children to has been written, there’s nothing you curating teams to talk about what they can do about the inevitable errors. hunts to keep them logging on. Create fi nd diffi cult in museums. That’s a very With an app, you can just amend, a buzz – very few operators do that. valuable thing. I have a baby daughter adapt and update as new information The Imperial War Museum is doing and am looking forward to taking her becomes available. really well now. People submit photos to museums. Hopefully they’ll all be online of their ancestors who fought child-friendly by the time we get there. What feedback have you in the wars and they’re being made had about your app? into an online exhibition. Many visitor What can heritage The timelineww2.com app has been attractions could do this. operators do better? widely reviewed and has an average Once you’ve done something, plug it They don’t do much badly. There’s still rating on iTunes of fi ve stars. aggressively so people know about it. a tendency to create a ‘don’t touch, We’ve sold many thousands and don’t shout’ atmosphere, which can hope that schools start to adopt What do you want to learn at VAC? be diffi cult for young people and kids. them. We have plans to release a I’m interested to fi nd out how opera- I like taking my nephews to places few more apps in the autumn. I’ll be tors are going to work with the Asian and they want to run around and make revealing more at VAC. marketplace in the next 30 years. noise – that’s easier on a battlefi eld What plans are there to make our than it is in an art gallery. How can heritage-based sites accessible to the potentially vast One thing operators do need to attractions use new media? audiences who want to come and see improve is their new media strategies, Too many heritage attractions simply European castles, Tudor stately homes such as building up their Facebook and put information about the ticket price and the Crown Jewels? Twitter profi les. People aren’t doing and opening hours on their website. We need to make sure we’re ready that nearly as much as they should be. That’s just turgid. You need to create for the rush when it comes. ● an unusual, funky vibe. If you oper- What sparked your ate a castle, put incredible facts about ABOUT VAC interest in apps? your past up each day to keep people The Annual National Conference of Tablet computers are the future. People interested. Tell them about the ghosts Visitor Attractions takes place on 11 love them and apps are very easy to and other horrible history-type facts. October 2012 at the Queen Elizabeth use on tablets. It’s an exciting way Be brazen about things that will bring II Conference Centre, London, UK. of delivering information directly to people to the attraction and the web- To book, go to www.vac2012.co.uk an audience. With an app, I’m talking site. Use clues, quizzes, and treasure ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 29 INTERVIEW MATT SPENCE From the family farm to a partnership with the Rockefeller family, luxury self-catering holiday company Natural Retreats has come a long way. CEO Matt Spence tells Magali Robathan what’s next s Matt Spence talks about Matt Spence is the founder and CEO tions, but no brands have targeted last year’s deal with the of Natural Retreats, which offers lux- them. Hotel brands tend to stick to for- Rockefeller family, which ury self-catering holidays in national mulae – highways, cities or big resorts. A catapulted the luxury self- parks and areas of outstanding natural No-one has picked the top 20 locations catering company Natural Retreats into beauty. It currently owns or operates in the UK and said if we had a place in the big league, he sounds as though four sites in Ireland, six in Britain, two every one of these amazing locations he still can’t quite believe it. in the US and one in Lanzarote. then we’d have a great travel brand.” “Mark Rockefeller [son of former US The chatty Yorkshireman is passion- Not until now, at least. Spence and vice president Nelson Rockefeller] was ate about getting people – particularly his team want to try to get a minimum looking for someone to operate his families – out into the wilderness. of 15 Natural Retreats sites in the Idaho resort,” says Spence. “He could “The great outdoors is the best gym UK, 50 in the US and 10 in Ireland. have picked any high profile American and spa you could ever wish for. It “Europe will be next,” he says. hotel chain, but he backed us. I think really does get people connected, and he realised we were unpolished – we’re recharges their batteries,” he says. HOW IT BEGAN farmers, at the end of the day – but “We’re trying to get people out into Spence didn’t start with a grand plan. he liked us and he liked what we were these fantastic areas. We want to cre- Natural Retreats was born back in trying to do. By May last year we were ate childhood memories and family 2006, when the Spence family decided operating this beautiful boutique lodge holidays that really leave a mark. to get out of farming. “My mother was he’d built on the banks of the Snake “We have 15 national parks in the in her 70s, and had been a sheep River in Idaho. I had to pinch myself.” UK, and they are our most visited loca- farmer for a number of years. It’s a Natural Retreats' founder and CEO Matt Spence has a passion for the outdoors 30 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Natural Retreats' site in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote opened in 2011 tough existence, and she basically couldn’t handle the early starts and lambing late at night,” he says. “We’d also been losing money for about 20 years. It was time to call it quits. My family called a meeting and said we need to find another way of earning a living, because this isn’t working.” Spence’s love of the outdoors was born when he was a child, after his family went to the Yellowstone National Park and Yosemite National Park in the US three years in a row. “The national parks really left a big impression on me,” he says. “I lost my father when I was young in tragic circumstances, All of the Playa Blanca villas feature a terrace and a private pool so I remember those holidays as the time when we were a whole family, and “WE HAVE 15 NATIONAL PARKS IN THE UK, AND THEY were at our happiest.” Spence returned to the Yellowstone ARE OUR MOST VISITED LOCATIONS, BUT NO HOTEL National Park on his honeymoon. While he had an amazing time, he BRANDS HAVE EVER TARGETED THEM” found the standard of accommodation to be disappointing. This gave him the nine cottages he wanted to build. “I with a further nine cottages opening idea of putting high quality accommo- was very naïve," he says. "I’d never on the site the following year. dation into national parks, and when applied for planning permission before “The cottages were a huge success his family were looking for alternative – I didn’t even own a house. Our farm and we had big occupancies from day ways of making money, he suggested is on a Greenfield site in an area of one,” he says. “A few private inves- building luxury self catering proper- outstanding natural beauty, and is tors put money into the business, ties on the family farm, which is in the just a mile and half from the town which enabled us to buy three spec- Yorkshire Dales National Park. of Richmond. People were very, very tacular sites in 2008/2009 – one in At the time, Spence was working nervous about our plans.” the Lake District, one in the North as regional manager for the market- After two years, Spence finally got Yorkshire Moors National Park and an ing team at Coca Cola. He quit his job planning permission and, together with old gold mine in Snowdonia.” and then undertook the difficult task his two brothers, built the first nine At that point, the world’s economies of getting planning permission for the cottages. The site opened in 2006, went into freefall and Spence had to ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 31 INTERVIEW The original Yorkshire Dales resi- dences feature sustainable timber, biomass heating and solar glazing change tack slightly. “The idea had always been to roll Natural Retreats out to every national park in the UK, but then in 2008 and 2009 the world got into such a bad state that it was pointless talking to anybody about development funding,” he says. “I looked at the hotel model of just operating facilities – Hilton, for exam- ple, doesn’t own any of its hotels. I saw that Natural Retreats was becom- Innovative vacations: ing a great little brand and that banks 'Glamping' (luxury camping) and developers were stuck with assets appears to be a growing trend that were in real trouble, and a lot of people had bought second homes that they couldn’t sell. I decided to go out and speak to people who had cottages The properties look out onto the Yorkshire Dales National Park (above) and say that we would operate them as Natural Retreats sites.” Today, Natural Retreats owns 75 per practically empty. We came in, in con- one who was looking for an operator cent of its properties, and operates 25 junction with the banks and owners, for his site. Much to Spence’s amaze- per cent. “We have no strategy to be and took those assets off them and ment, that someone turned out to an owner or operator. We’re just playing transformed them. When we acquired be Mark Rockefeller. “I was invited what’s in front of us,” says Spence. it, Castlemartyr had %50,000 a year to meet Mark in January 2011 in the Over the next couple of years, Natural coming in from the cottages; it now John D Rockefeller boardroom in the Retreats picked up several sites in the makes more than %1m a year.” Rockefeller Centre,” he says. “It was UK and Ireland, found a new investor, eye-wateringly terrifying – it was just and set up its asset ownership vehicle LOOKING STATESIDE me and him, and I presented to him Natural Assets. “We have a number of By 2010, Spence decided the time for seven hours. By the end, I was opportunities where we’re coming in as was right to tackle the US. shattered, and he was probably nearly an operator and we realise that the site “I was determined we would open asleep, but he decided to back us. It is in trouble financially. We will now look up in the US, because that’s where the was a huge leap of faith on his part.” at helping both on the equity and the idea came from originally,” he says. “I South Fork Lodge has 22 guest operating side,” says Spence. thought all along that Natural Retreats suites and is situated on the South So what does the company look for was as well suited, if not better suited, Fork of the Snake River in Idaho, in terms of opportunities? “It’s got to to the US than the UK.” famed for its fishing. The lodge offers be a site of outstanding natural beauty Spence went over to the States a range of guided activities including and the land has to have potential for on several visits, meeting up with fly fishing, kayaking, wildlife-spotting, putting new cottages onto it,” says people he’d been advised might be skiing and heli-skiing. Spence. “We will also look at resorts able to help him. One of these was “I’m so proud that we are a British that aren't working and need rethink- Charles Adams, principal of developer company and we went into America ing. Two of our sites in Ireland – Castle Celebrations Associates (respon- and got one of the best assets in the Marter and Parknasilla – are %100m sible for the town of Celebration in Mid West, if not the whole US, from hotel resorts. There were 42 cottages Florida) who later called him and one of the most incredible men I’ve on one and 56 on the other that were told him to come and meet some- ever met,” says Spence. 32 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 IN HIS OWN WORDS – MATT SPENCE What’s your favourite book and film? My favourite book is either White Fang or Call of the Wild by Jack London. My favourite film is The Great Escape. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? It’s a phrase that I was once told: The brave may not live forever, but the cautious never live at all. What’s been your lowest point since starting up Natural Retreats? I guess the most difficult moment was when I was trying to get planning permission for the first site. I was two years into planning and I heard that the council was going to turn me down. I’d completely run out of money – all my savings, credit cards, everything – and I knew that my fam- ily had given me the land. How could I go back to them and say we’d lost everything? Luckily we didn’t. The cabins at South Fork Lodge in Idaho, US are What inspires you? situated on the river The great outdoors. I’m happiest up a mountain, or hiking with my kids and a rucksack. Unfortunately I can’t make a living doing that, so Natural “A BIG PART OF THE ROCKEFELLER'S Retreats allows me to stay close to PHILANTHROPY WAS ABOUT GETTING my real passion, and make a living to provide for my family. PEOPLE INTO THE GREAT OUTDOORS” Mark Rockefeller What challenges you? I have two kids – they are five and two The Rockefellers have a strong if people took a break in these places and a half. They challenge me every link with the great outdoors. John D it would re-energise them.” day. It’s hard work, but it’s amazing. Rockefeller Jr donated millions of dol- Natural Retreats opened a second lars to the expansion and creation of site in the US in Virginia Hot Springs, What’s been your highest point? America’s national parks, while his and Spence says there will be another My best day at work has got to son Laurence was a conservation- four or five sites opening in the States be the day we signed the Mark ist who helped launch the National over the next 12 months. Rockefeller deal. I don’t think we Park Foundation. Laurence Rockefeller “Some of these are associated with could ever get higher than that – one also created Rock Retreats, a holiday the Rockefellers and some are not, of the world’s greatest families back- company which created ‘environmen- but I believe that we got all of them ing us. That was my proudest day. tally-focused’ luxury hotel resorts in because of Mark Rockefeller agreeing We staked our reputation on that spectacular natural surroundings. to take us on," says Spence. "That’s deal; we’d never run anything like “A big part of the Rockefeller’s phil- probably the best due diligence any- that before. It was so out of our anthropic work was about getting one could ever do on us.” league in location, in scale. It was people into the great outdoors,” says a $3m turnover business with 40 Spence. “John D Rockefeller Senior JOHN O’GROATS employees. We got the deal from and Junior and Laurence Rockefeller The latest big project for Natural guts and passion and really putting believed that national parks were Retreats is the redevelopment of ourselves on the line. about getting back to reality, and that the John O’Groats House Hotel in ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 33 INTERVIEW The Hollies, in Co Kerry, Ireland features a restored 19th century manor house Scotland. The hotel launched in 1875, and its famous guests included “MOST BIG HOTEL RESORTS DETRACT FROM THE LOCAL Emmeline Pankhurst. However, the COMMUNITY. ALL OF THE RESTAURANTS AND COFFEE hotel had fallen into a state of disre- pair and was a dilapidated eyesore by SHOPS STRUGGLE BECAUSE PEOPLE STAY ON THE RESORT” the time Natural Retreats took it on. “I fell in love with the area as soon as I saw it,” says Spence. “It’s one tive shop selling produce from local All of the Natural Retreats proper- of the only wildernesses left in the businesses. “We invited the whole of ties are built on sustainable principles UK, and I just thought, we have to do Caithness county to come to a Meet – using locally-sourced materials, and something here. I knew it was a big the Buyer day at the John O’Groats with minimum impact on their surround- job, but I knew we could do it.” House Hotel and said, ‘if you make any- ings. Other sustainable features include As part of a £6m regeneration of thing, bring it along. If it’s any good, sedum roofs, passive solar-glazing, bio- the area, Natural Retreats is redevel- we’ll stock it on our shelves’. It was mass heating and recycled insulation. oping the hotel into 19 self-catering hugely successful,” says Spence. The company is a member of the apartments – which will be called The The opening of the hotel and Green Tourism Business Scheme, Inn – and has built 23 standalone cottages is part of a wider plan to reju- which covers a range of areas includ- new holiday cottages. “It’s not apart- venate John O’Groats as an attractive ing energy and water efficiency, waste ments in the way that people are tourist destination. Natural Retreats management and biodiversity. used to – there's a library, a big roar- is working with partners including the Spence hasn’t included restaurants ing fireplace, places to read your Highlands and Islands Enterprise, The or spas in any of his sites, because he paper, says Spence. “It’s not bouti- Highland Council and Heritage GB on believes that guests should spend their quey – it’s for families and we want the plans, which include the devel- money in locally-run establishments. people to go out into the wild and get opment of the public areas and the “Most big hotel resorts detract from soaking wet – but the quality of the Last House Museum and shop, and the local community. All of the little accommodation is really high.” the expansion and upgrade of the restaurants and coffee shops strug- Several of the cottages have already Journey's End Café, as well as the cre- gle to survive because everyone stays opened, with the rest opening in ation of a new visitor centre. on the resort and that’s not very sus- stages, and the hotel will launch next tainable,” he says. year. “We’re aiming for this to be one SUSTAINABILITY “When I was trying to get plan- of the top 10 mentioned places to stay Spence has strong feelings about sus- ning permission for the first site in in the UK,” says Spence. tainability, and the responsibility of Richmond, I argued that the area Natural Retreats has also opened tourism operators to the communities needed five star accommodation The Storehouse, an on-site co-opera- in which they operate. because it would bring people with money in. Then I thought, if I put a spa and a restaurant in, guests might come with money, but they won’t spend a penny of it outside of the resort.” At the end of the day, says Spence, it all comes back to making sure eve- ryone associated with Natural Retreats is happy, whether it’s people staying in the cottages, or the people who live in the communities nearby. “All we want is for families to have a good time, and as long as we can The Hollies is one of Natural Retreats’ four sites in Ireland achieve that, I’m happy.” ● 34 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 SportsArt Fitness launches the new energy-harnessing Green System The revolutionary system that Saves Cost and Generates Green Energy ® The SportsArt Green System is not just a concept but the first If you are also interested in running a Demo for 15 days in solution of its kind for health club owners and leisure centres who your club please contact us. 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Visit our website: www.sportsartfitness.co.uk CULTURE CREATIVE SPIRIT As the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea sets out its Cultural Placemaking proposals, Councillor Nicholas Paget-Brown Notting Hill Carnival is Europe’s explains how they aim to revive biggest carnival, attracting around a million people to the borough the creative spirit of the area PHOTO: © BIKEWORLDTRAVEL/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM n May, the Royal Borough driving out young artists, creative Park and Leighton House Museum, of Kensington and Chelsea businesses and entrepreneurs. we hadn’t had a cohesive, coherent in London launched Cultural The Cultural Placemaking initiative strategy to represent the whole of the I Placemaking proposals, which has been developed in partnership council’s artistic ambitions. set out to put culture and the creative with consultancies Futurecity and Once upon a time the borough was industries at the heart of all new BOP Consulting. The aim, according the home of creative arts. There were developments in the borough. to the mission statement, is to lots of painters down on the Chelsea Kensington was once a thriving "Place the borough at the forefront embankment, lots of fashion icons mecca for artists and designers – of contemporary creativity, enabling started their businesses on Portobello with Vivienne Westwood, Mary Quant, residents to access internationally Road and the King’s Road in the Monsoon-founder Peter Simon, Wayne excellent culture and using culture to 1950s and 1960s, including Vivienne Hemingway, Thomas Heatherwick and attract inward investment". Westwood and Mary Quant. In those Stella McCartney all launching their The local authority is now asking for days Chelsea was a creative place, but careers in the area. It's also home feedback on the proposals, which will over the last few decades, land prices to the V&A, The Science Museum, help to shape future council policy. have made it diffi cult for young artists the Natural History Museum and the Here Nicholas Paget-Brown, to get established in the borough and Saatchi Gallery, and hosts festivals deputy leader of the council and we needed to start thinking about that. including the Notting Hill Carnival, cabinet member for transportation, It was time to start addressing all the Chelsea Flower Show and the Nour environment and leisure, answers council’s policies to ensure that the Festival, which explores Middle some questions about what the borough could provide fertile ground Eastern and North African culture. initiative hopes to achieve. for creative people again. The local authority wants to build In May we launched the Cultural on the creative history of Kensington How and when was the idea for the Placemaking initiative, which is all and Chelsea and make it the fi rst in Cultural Placemaking initiative born? about how we can encourage people the UK to integrate arts and culture It all started in about 2009 when the who’ve got a development project into its economic development through council produced its Arts and Culture in mind in the borough to take into planning. The plans also hope to Policy. Although we’ve had arts in the account our creative and artistic address the problem of high rents borough in the form of Opera Holland ambitions for the borough. 36 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 What are the aims of the Cultural Placemaking proposals? WHAT IS CULTURAL PLACEMAKING? The more interesting and dynamic a neighbourhood appears, the more ultural placemaking is To achieve this outcome there is people seem to enjoy and value it. about ingraining culture, a requirement for developers, local That must have a knock on benefit to Ccommunity and creativity in people and local authorities to think the businesses that occupy it. a development right from the start as creatively as possible about their We are saying that we would like of the process. At its heart is the new place, and to agree mutually developers to incorporate some involvement of local people and shared visions for the future; and kind of provision for creative space an exploration of local heritage to for developers to form partnerships into their ideas, thinking and initial create an authentic, multilayered, with local and international cultural plans. It might be design and fashion, vibrant place, where people want to and creative industries, planning in it might be sculpture or arts or live, work and visit. A place that sits the provision of high quality cultural photography. We think there are comfortably in its locality as well as amenities and how these amenities always opportunities in developments significantly contributing to the wider might grow and expand over time. to include those sorts of things, and neighbourhood’s life and activity. Source: www.rbkc.gov.uk we think that they really help to define a neighbourhood. We believe that adopting a cultural What happens next? How much of an issue are expensive placemaking approach to planning The Cultural Placemaking agenda rents in the borough? and development across the entire has been published on the council’s There’s a view that over the second borough has the potential to create website (www.rbkc.gov.uk), and we half of the 20th century, there’s been a places to benefit present and future have asked people for their thoughts haemorrhaging of creative and artistic residents and businesses, stimulate and ideas. We will be analysing and activity in Kensington and Chelsea, home-grown cultural talent and make taking on board the feedback we get largely as a result of very high rental the Royal Borough the choice for from that and talking to colleagues values. We need to think of imaginative international creative companies on the planning department to ensure and creative ways of trying to address seeking to locate in London. that that goes ahead. that, and I hope that the Cultural ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 37 CULTURE Portobello Road offers creative entrepreneurs a chance to display their wares PHOTO: © OLIVIA WOODHOUSE/RBKC Placemaking strategy is a start. help towards the costs of materials. It In the Arts and Culture Strategy The council has launched a studio gives artists coming out of art school there are all sorts of initiatives bursary programme in partnership with the opportunity not to have to worry where we try to link arts and culture the Chelsea Arts Club Trust, whereby about rent and location and other to employment opportunities and we offer free studios to emerging expenses; they can just come to the training, and to fi nding ways that young artists. The successful artists get borough and get established. We’ve people can get engaged in positive a three-year bursary comprising the got two or three of those bursaries activities. There are all sorts of ways use of one of the borough’s artist's running at the moment and they have we think that arts and culture can studios, an annual bursary fee and been a great success. play a positive role in social policy, in regeneration, in planning and obviously in terms of our own arts and culture The cultural placemaking initiative calls on developers to: aspirations as set out in the strategy. If you go back to the 1950s and 1960s, the Kings Road and Portobello ■ Embed culture and the creative ■ Brand and animate their Road were where art and design and industries into their thinking developments, through business all came together. Creative right from the very start of the interventions, temporary creative entrepreneurs could show their wares. development process. spaces and long-term cultural We are currently running an ■ Be even more imaginative provision, partnerships and initiative to give young entrepreneurs and bold in their thinking programming. a free stall in Portobello Road for six and proposals, in particular ■ Be active in forming creative months to test the market and see masterplanning design, the partnerships with the Royal what feedback they get. The Royal animation of new places and Borough of Kensington and Borough’s Market Enterprise Launch creative and commercial ideas for Chelsea’s communities, local and Pad also gives the winners £1,000 the public realm. international cultural providers in start up funds, a support package ■ Explore and anchor the heritage and the creative industries to from the Prince’s Trust and free and contemporary cultural infl uence development. business insurance. context of their sites. ■ Form long-term partnerships ■ Work with the Creative District with cultural providers in order to Are you trying to recreate the Profi ler to identify the potential infl uence the style and content creativity of the 1950s and 1960s? of a proposed site to become a of cultural amenities, not merely No, this needs to be of its time. The creative district. their existence. enthusiasms and priorities of today are different. It’s not about trying 38 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 PHOTO: © OLIVIA WOODHOUSE/RBKC Clockwise from left: Artist Edgar Mueller created a 3D painting for the InTRANSIT Festival; The recently remodelled Exhibition Road; the Victoria & Albert Museum; more culture at the InTRANSIT Festival PHOTO: © JAN KRANENDONK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM PHOTO: © RBKC CULTURE SERVICE CULTURE PHOTO: © RBKC are home to so many world-class We don’t want to find that Kensington and museums, galleries and institutions that have inspired people over Chelsea has become a place where only generations. What appeared to be the very wealthy can live and work waning rather than waxing, was the current opportunity for new creative people to get a foothold in to recreate something which has House Museum to include other our borough rather than feeling they gone, but about trying to develop a institutions such as the Victoria needed to move elsewhere. creative atmosphere and a sense & Albert Museum, the Science that if you are an artistic person and Museum, the Ismaili Centre and the What do you see as the biggest want an opportunity to try and set up Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre. challenges of this initiative? in business, Kensington and Chelsea Exhibition Road has recently It comes back to the economic should be a place you can do so. been remodelled to become one background against which everyone of the UK's most accessible is operating. It’s about whether Can you give some examples of cultural spaces and was home to people are currently choosing to cultural projects taking place in The Roadshow Festival during the go into artistic and design type Kensington and Chelsea? London 2012 Olympics. The festival activities as much as they were a The council runs its own arts celebrated the relationship between few years ago, and whether the level festivals. We have the InTRANSIT the arts and the sciences and of development over the next few Festival of Arts [which took place in between the different institutions years will be as great as it has been July] which aims to provide young on Exhibition Road – the Royal over the last 20 years. creative people with all sorts of Geographic Society, Natural History What we don’t want to do is fi nd ways of thinking and fresh ideas Museum, Imperial College and that Kensington and Chelsea has about traditional art forms. We also the Victorial & Albert Museum. All become a place where only the have the Nour festival (1 October these organisations have a creative very wealthy can live and work. – 1 November), which showcases dimension that we want to celebrate. There should be this thread running contemporary culture from North through development and through Africa and the Middle East. The What are your favourite things the thinking of the council and its council has grown Nour to become about Kensington and Chelsea? partners about how this borough can an internationally respected festival I’ve lived here for 25 years. I love remain an interesting, lively part of and this year, for the fi rst time, it has the energy in Kensington and London, not just somewhere with moved beyond its home at Leighton Chelsea and I love the fact that we very expensive land prices. ● ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 39 INTERVIEW MARK SESNAN The London 2012 Aquatics Centre and Multi-Use Arena saw history being made during the Olympics and Paralympics. GLL's managing director talks to Ian Freeman about the challenges of operating the venues in legacy mode ark Sesnan, Add to this expansion into library WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP the charismatic and play-centre management and whol- The way forward for GLL’s core lei- managing direc- ly-owned businesses such as budget sure centre business includes forming tor of GLL, has gyms, the creation of local operating operating partnerships with smaller come a long partnerships and winning the contract local leisure trusts, such as Freedom way since I fi rst interviewed him in to run two London 2012 venues post- Leisure in southern England and the 2005 for Leisure Management's sis- Olympics, and you can see why it may Hereford-based Halo Leisure Trust. ter publication, Sports Management. have been a considerable challenge Sesnan says: “Local authorities out- GLL (formerly Greenwich Leisure) has for Sesnan to maintain his deceptively side London were asking us to bid to grown into the UK’s leading operator laid-back persona. operate their centres. We said that of local authority leisure facilities, with “As a charitable social enterprise, if we could fi nd a way of doing it and a turnover of £111m and manage- we’re showing that it isn’t all about help other trusts to get business it'd ment of more than 100 facilities. profi t – we’re on a mission,” Sesnan make sense. We work with the trusts A lot has been happening at GLL’s says. “Currently, about a third of UK to win the business, but they deliver late-Georgian, Grade II-listed headquar- leisure centres are still run by the the services and staff the centres ters in London’s Woolwich Arsenal. As public sector, even in big cities like themselves, which provides a local well as growing the number of leisure Liverpool, Newcastle and Leeds.” feel. We give councils security that centres the team manages in London When I ask why, he pauses. “I could they wouldn’t get from a smaller organ- – the company's traditional heartland be provocative and say it’s about self- isation and we can infl uence what – a carefully-judged growth plan has interest or trade-union infl uence, but goes on in the centres. taken them as far north as York and I’m much more generous than that – I “We’re open to discussion with any- into the Chilterns and Surrey. think it’s just local choice,” he says. one once contracts go to market,” he continues. “Because of our reputation, we can get on shortlists, which smaller trusts often can’t. We do the bid work for them, which we charge for, but the bigger game – and my vision – is to have an affi nity community of custom- ers, a block that has some muscle with sponsors and suppliers. But that’s some years away yet.” With expansion usually comes the thirst to branch out, and Sesnan has his heart set fi rmly on organic growth. “We need to diversify so we’re not reliant on any one particular income source”, he says. He has a desire to own, as well as operate, leisure facili- ties with budget gyms top of the list – their fi rst, at Bexleyheath, Kent, is, says Sesnan, “fl ying”. PHOTO: WWW.GETTYIMAGES.COM “Our plan is to extend the wholly- The London 2012 Aquatics Centre will open to the public in 2014 owned estate and, as a charitable 40 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 PHOTO: WWW.GETTYIMAGES.COM The 2012 Aquatics Centre will cater for community and competitive events “To have these venues is coming of age for us and changes us from local to national. operator rather than a commercial one, we would be looking to see where It ups the ante and increases the challenge” there are socio-demographic reasons for putting in a gym,” he says. “We can do rich and poor areas so there’s the venues. If it all goes to Sesnan’s the dive pool 2ft deep and use it for a much wider matrix of sites that we’d plans, the arena will open on 27th swimming lessons and have an inter- consider. We want our gyms to be July 2013 – a year to the day after national event going on in the main accessible and have the right look and the Olympics opening ceremony. The pools. We’ll be working with British feel for all sections of the community, Aquatics centre, where seating will Swimming and the synchro-swimming, including children.” GLL gyms will be be reduced from 17,500 to 2,500, is diving and water-polo bodies.” 800 – 1,200sq m, with online sign-up scheduled to open at Easter in 2014. The Multi-Use Arena is the size of only, self-admission and what Sesnan Sesnan is naturally enthusias- three sports halls and will be home calls “lightly staffed”. tic about winning Olympic gold. The to the British Basketball League’s Aquatics Centre boasts not one, but London Lions. “It can be used to host WINNING OLYMPIC GOLD two, 50m pools – the one that saw rock concerts, community sport and With legacy at the core of the Olympic the likes of Michael Phelps make corporate events,” Sesnan explains. mission, Sesnan is justly proud to Olympic history and the hidden prac- “The bleachers are electric-powered have won the bid, which he spent most tice pool. Both, along with the 25m and can be moved back and forth to of 2011 spearheading, to operate two diving pool, were designed with move- adjust spectator capacity. Olympic Park venues – the Aquatics able fl oors to enable the depth to be “Originally we were looking to part- Centre and the Multi-Use Arena (bet- reconfi gured at the touch of a button. ner with AEG [US-based owner of the ter known as the Copper Box). “We bid “The legacy brief for the Aquatics O2 Arena] for this venue,” he says. for both”, he says, “as we believe you Centre was to provide community use “But they got involved in the stadium need one to subsidise the other.” and cater for schools, clubs and peo- bidding and things got confused. We After the Paralympic Games, when ple with kids at the weekends, as well want to work closely with AEG because the London Legacy Development as to be a tourist attraction and a site a 7,000-seat rock venue seems to fi t Corporation (LLDC) got the keys to for international sporting events,” their family. And it’s newer, shinier and the park, builders began to transform says Sesnan. “This way, we can make easier to get to than Wembley Arena.” ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 41 INTERVIEW The GLL Sport Foundation provides funding for London athletes “My challenge to our marketing people was that we run 110 centres and no one's heard of us, As operator of the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, Sesnan is but they know of David Lloyd” interested in the outcome of the Olympic stadium wrangle. “We have a 20,000-seat athletics stadium at eventually maybe we can talk to Lea we’ve noticed things getting done that Crystal Palace, which we believe is Valley about that. We’d like to work wouldn’t have normally. In Greenwich, serviceable. But if you have one in with Rio 2016, too," he adds. "We met for instance, there are two completely east London, you don’t need both. with the Brazilians during the Games new school sports centres, much big- "GLL’s strategy for the Olympic ven- when they were stabled up the road at ger than any school would previously ues is based on what you lose in Crystal Palace. No one’s yet got leg- have had. There will now be seven one venue, you make in the other," acy rights, so if we deliver it would be 50m pools in London, up from only he explains. "The pool has a mass interesting to get involved.” two 10 years ago. Applications for of water which needs heating and As to the Games themselves, everything for the under-14s is up, treating and lifeguards. To keep swim- Sesnan says: “I don’t think we could especially gymnastics. And you only ming accessible, you have to keep have wished for better. It exposed peo- have to go out on the street to see the prices down – the real cost of ple to a wide range of sports, not just how many more cyclists and runners swimming is between £7 and £9 per the usual suspects. To see women’s there are now – that’s good for us. We session, which people won’t pay here. boxing, for example, was fantastic. The call it ‘the Jess effect’.” "To have these venues is the coming organisers, the construction people, of age for us,” he says, “and changes the athletes – everyone did us proud.” BRANCHING OUT us from local to national. It ups the He also hails the focus on sport GLL is branching out into other areas ante and increases the challenge. inspired by the Games. “Because of service provision, most notably We’d have loved the Velodrome, so we are in so many London boroughs library management. It currently oper- ates all Greenwich libraries, including those at Belmarsh prison, hospitals and a mobile facility. When I sug- A selection of GLL’s core legacy commitments for 2012-2016 gest this to be a signifi cant diversion, Sesnan disagrees. “Libraries are a ■ To support 52 community fi cation skills training to 2,000 part of the cultural block within local sports events across GLL’s 27 students per annum through our authorities,” he says. “We’re open to partner regions per annum vocational training college talk to any council where we already ■ To increase the number of young ■ To have support agreements have an interest about integrating their athletes supported by the GLL Sport in place to promote and spon- other cultural operations. You’d want Foundation by 5 per cent per annum sor key disability sports clubs your library to be open seven days ■ To offer the GLL ‘Kids For A Quid’ ■ To invest an average of £4m per a week, to be accessible, to have a initiative to promote young peo- annum into GLL managed services crèche, a café, a car park and to be ple’s participation in swimming to improve service and standards friendly and bright – which is the same ■ To hold the GLL Senior Games each ■ To reduce gas and electricity con- specifi cation as for a leisure centre. year as a dedicated sports and activ- sumption for each venue annually “Apart from a few shining examples, ity tournament for over 55 year-olds to reduce our carbon footprint by libraries tend not to be like that," he ■ To provide a GP referral/health pro- an annual average of 2 per cent continues. "They’re suffering from cut- gramme in all GLL partner regions ■ To trial and review two alterna- backs and the people who run them ■ To deliver professional quali- tive forms of energy generation aren't building managers. We need between two and fi ve library contracts 42 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 PHOTO: WWW.GETTYIMAGES.COM in London to get the savings in the tions, Sesnan has brought in some GLL has won the bid to operate the back offi ce in book purchasing and Multi Use Arena, or Copper Box autonomous assistance. “Salaries, for so on. About 80 per cent of book pur- example, are overseen by an independ- chasing can be centralised, which is in ent sub-committee of non-executive the local authorities’ interest.” ness now operates under the Better directors”, he says. “Our compliance Sesnan views early-age customers brand. “Our advertising and publicity level is much higher as we seek to as so vital – both to his business and material had become a big logo-fest,” converge with traditional charities.” in the war on child obesity – that chil- says Sesnan. “There was a need Of the issues facing GLL going for- dren over 11 can use GLL centres’ for something distinct and recognis- ward, Sesnan immediately refers to adult facilities from 3.30pm until 6pm able – we wanted to brighten it up. the management of expansion while for free. “Getting kids to enjoy activ- My challenge to our marketing peo- retaining GLL’s core values. “The chal- ity will deal with obesity – they’ll do ple was that we run 110 centres and lenge all the way through for us,” he it because they want to, not because yet no one has heard of us, but they says, “has been to remind people all they’ve been told to,” he says, though know of David Lloyd. Better is differ- the way up and down the chain that he admits that “no one has yet got ent, striking and positive. We want it we have values they have to live up to. their head around pricing for kids.” to be recognisable.” There’s a mass of people out there, By virtue of operating more swim- With rebranding costing tens of thou- particularly in the health and safety ming pools in the UK than anyone sands per venue, Sesnan has invested fi eld, who are empowered to batter else, Sesnan fi nds that getting the in changing the interiors of just two businesses and make our job as diffi - balance between safety and fun is dif- as a try-out – Hackney’s Clissold cult as possible, so the true challenge fi cult. “Kids want to enjoy swimming, Centre and the Waterfront in Woolwich is about our people’s skill-sets. We but the insurers and health and safety (which, coincidentally, he used to man- have run graduate trainee schemes people tell us not to let them run, age). The process will be gradual says for 15 years, without which we would shout or dive,” he says. “But if they’re Sesnan – “we’ve got 10,000 staff never have been able to expand. not having fun, they’ll go back to play- polo shirts, for example. We won’t be “As for the industry, we still have ing computer games.” throwing those out overnight!” much to do, such as sorting out the Anxious to ensure, at a time when qualifi cations structure. We’re only A CHANGE OF IMAGE transparency and compliance has now on the cusp of change. I’m one of GLL has recently undergone a major never been more important, that GLL the people working on that – and I’ve reimaging. The public face of the busi- is doing all it can to meet expecta- got the bruises to prove it!” ● ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 43 PLAY Building Imaginations 2012 HELEN & HARD FROM LEARN FOR LIFE ©GESTALTEN PHOTOS: BASE CAMP BY A new book – Learn for Life, New Architecture for New Learning – explores learning spaces that are pushing the boundaries of architecture. We take a look at some of the truly inspiring playgrounds featured BASE CAMP LOCATION: Strand, Norway ARCHITECTS: Helen & Hard Base Camp introduces 12- to 15-year-old children to out- door and camping activities through a dynamic architectural Tree Camp provides shelter in the form of six cocoons intervention. Comprised of inter- active, nomadic structures, this project encourages children to play, learn and explore. Tree Camp consists of six cocoons hung around living trees, provid- ing shelter for camping children. Four cocoons are connected by a hanging bridge, which leads into a larger pod where children can meet and prepare food. In Mountain Wall, children sleep inside a steel structure attached to a steep rock, while Water Camp houses children in The cocoons are connected by hanging bridges hammocks on a covered quay. 44 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital Tree Camp (all pictures, this page) Water Camp and Mountain Wall make up Base Camp ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 45 PLAY PHOTO: IMAGINATION PLAYGROUND BY ROCKWELL GROUP FROM LEARN FOR LIFE ©GESTALTEN 2012 IMAGINATION PLAYGROUND LOCATION: New York, USA ARCHITECT: Rockwell Group The result of seven years of research, development, focus groups and test- ing, Imagination Playground stands as a breakthrough play-space con- cept that encourages child-directed, unstructured free play. With a focus on small, individual parts, this project offers a changing array of elements that allow children to constantly reconfi gure their environment and design their own course of play. This unique playground provides a fl ex- ible environment for many types of imaginative activities through the incorporation of multilevel spaces with large sand and water features and a variety of toys and tools. Elements include cascading water channels, masts and pulleys THE SPERM WHALE AT THE NORTH SEA OCEANARIUM LOCATION: Hirtshals, Denmark ARCHITECT: Monstrum The fi rst stage of a larger North Sea Oceanarium playground, this sperm whale serves as the central point for the project. The whale, which can be traversed both inside and out, offers dec- orative drawings of its internal organs from within and glimpses of its white ribs along the side. Fitted with ladders, stairs, and other climbing areas, the whale can also be entered through the mouth across the teeth. Small PHOTO: THE SPERM WHALE AT THE NORTH SEA OCEANARIUM BY MONSTRUM FROM LEARN FOR LIFE ©GESTALTEN 2012 MONSTRUM FROM LEARN FOR LIFE ©GESTALTEN THE NORTH SEA OCEANARIUM BY PHOTO: THE SPERM WHALE AT holes run along the side of the whale doubling as both peep- Children can climb inside and look out of the whale's eyes holes and climbing grips. 46 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 The playground is based on a story in which Rasmus Klump and his friends sail their ship onto an island PHOTOS: RASMUS KLUMP LAND BY MONSTRUM FROM LEARN FOR LIFE©GESTALTEN 2012 RASMUS KLUMP LAND LOCATION: Copenhagen, Denmark ARCHITECT: Monstrum Located in the heart of Copenhagen in Tivoli, this play space takes its formal approach from the adventure stories of a Danish comic strip. The playground incorporates numerous water elements, maritime themes, and a large whale, around which many challenges and activ- ities await. From rock hopping to rope climbing, the playground offers excitement for toddlers through to adolescents. The park also features a submarine, a raft and a lighthouse ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 47 PLAY BENAMOR DUARTE ARCHITECTURE FROM LEARN FOR LIFE©GESTALTEN 2012 PHOTO: ONION PINCH BY CATERINA TIAZZOLDI, NUOVI AND ORDENTRA, ONION PINCH LOCATION: Lisbon, Portugal ARCHITECTS: Caterina Tiazzoldi, Nuova Ordentra & Benamor Duarte Architecture Different types and thicknesses of cork were used Appearing fi rst in a Lisbon subway station and then moving across greater Europe, this organically shaped cork installa- tion serves as a unique public playground for all ages. The fl exibility of the cork results in a series of 15 tactile and dynamic pinched spaces that inspire user interaction and fl uctuate between shelter, hammock and open space. Internal paths between the onion profi les add additional pathways for children to run, walk, climb, lay and rock on. Designed for and hand knitted by artist Toshiko Horiuchi Macadam, the project confounds distinctions between indoor and outdoor space. Suspended within a loosely stacked wooden structure, the main net attracts children while their parents occupy the wooden perimeter PHOTO: WOODS OF NET BY TEZUKA ARCHITECTS, TAKAHARU & YUI TEZUKA ©GESTALTEN 2012 Learn for Life: New Architecture for New Learning is a diverse collection of inspir- ing architecture and This colourful, permanent pavilion serves interiors showing new WOODS OF NET as a tactile and whimsical children’s play interpretations of space. Designed for and hand knitted schools, nurseries, uni- LOCATION: by artist Toshiko Horiuchi Macadam, the versities, libraries and project confounds distinctions between playgrounds. The book Ninotaira, Japan indoor and outdoor space. Suspended is available to buy from ARCHITECTS: within a loosely stacked wooden struc- all good bookshops. Tezuka Architects ture, the main net space attracts www.gestalten.com children while their parents occupy the Takaharu & Yui Tezuka more understated wooden perimeter. 48 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Geopark has become a social meeting point, used by children, adolescents and adults PHOTOS: GEOPARK BY HELEN & HARD FROM LEARN FOR LIFE©GESTALTEN 2012 HELEN & HARD FROM LEARN FOR LIFE©GESTALTEN BY PHOTOS: GEOPARK GEOPARK Situated in the heart of Norway’s oil industry, Geopark combines the exper- tise and material resources of the LOCATION: offshore rigs with sustainable urban Stavanger, Norway development. The park provides a play- ful urban space on the waterfront, ARCHITECTS: utilising a vacant forecourt adjacent Helen & Hard to the Oil Museum. This multipur- pose geo-landscape accommodates biking, skating, climbing, exhibitions, concerts, sports and relaxation. Constructed out of recycled elements from petroleum installations, aban- doned oil platforms, off-shore bases, and scrap heaps, Geopark transforms the formerly abandoned site into a bustling social meeting point. ● The park has been made from recycled materials ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 49 ENERGY WWW.SHUTTERSTOCK.COM A RAY OF SUNSHINE The latest generation of solar power can use the sun’s energy to generate power even on a cloudy day. It’s great news for the leisure industry, explains the Energy Desk’s Laura-Clare Davies s the hottest topic in renew- EVOLUTIONS IN RENEWABLE So rather than restricting energy pro- able energy solutions to HEAT TECHNOLOGY duction to hours of the day with direct A emerge in the past 12 The renewable energy technology mar- sunlight, TSPs generate heat from the months, interest in the ket is constantly evolving. atmosphere during the day and continue Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is Solar panels or photovoltaics (PV), for through the night, heating water to 55 on the rise and so it should be. As example, have long been an established degrees celsius. Generating energy 24 explained in the last issue of Leisure means of generating renewable energy hours a day, 365 days a year is pretty Management, RHI is a financial incen- via the sun’s direct heat source, and impressive and these thermodynamic tive scheme that guarantees cashback they have been adopted by domestic systems operate down to a minimum payments for 20 years on the installa- and commercial users up and down the ambient temperature of -15 degrees tion of renewable heat technologies. country for the past decade. However, celsius, which is of particular benefit if The scheme is designed to ensure although these traditional solar power you're plagued by disappointing sum- that your benefits are two-fold; firstly systems have proved viable in terms mers. What’s more, unlike conventional you save money by producing your own of producing electricity, they do rely on solar panels, TSPs don’t necessarily energy, reducing your need for gas or sunlight, which is something of an elu- need to be placed on your roof. These oil; secondly, you get paid a fixed rate sive commodity in some places. systems can be installed anywhere on for the heat you generate. This leads us on to thermodynamic a building, meaning they can work with So the big question now is what solar panels (TSPs), the next genera- the overall aesthetics of a building. pieces of kit are out there that tick all tion in solar power. the boxes for the RHI? The trick is in Thermodynamic solar panels work in MAKING THERMODYNAMIC realising that different equipment will exactly the same way as conventional SOLAR POWER WORK vary in terms of its compatibility with solar panels, insofar as they utilise the Thermodynamic solar power is very different sites, depending on where sun’s power and convert it to thermal new to many markets and its innova- the majority of a building’s energy use energy to heat water, but with one very tive capabilities and overall efficiency sits. For example, leisure buildings big difference. The sun doesn’t need will make this technology a big seller rely a lot on air conditioning and water to be out for the panels to operate. in the renewable heat sector. Installing heating systems. Thankfully most Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? this system will not only reduce your technologies in the RHI scheme are Trust us, it’s not. The key word here is requirement for traditional water used for heating and cooling, so from ‘dynamic’. The panels are activated by heating systems, it will also achieve the outset, the leisure industry has a the surrounding ambient temperature, guaranteed savings of a minimum of competitive advantage. whether the sun is out or not. 30 per cent. For a leisure centre with 50 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 WWW.SHUTTERSTOCK.COM WWW.SHUTTERSTOCK.COM WWW.SHUTTERSTOCK.COM Thermodynamic Solar Power ASK TED, THE ENERGY DESK’S SPECIALIST HELP DESK, ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS Can photovoltaics and system, which will heat your water 24 building or on the ground outside, but thermodynamic systems be hours a day, seven days a week, 365 they work at their best on the south installed in tandem? days a year at temperatures above -14 elevation. This means that they can be The short answer to this is yes. If you degrees celsius. So a combination of hidden away and you don’t need plan- have a high electricity use, you can the two can result in savings on both ning permission to install them. install photovoltaics (PV) to produce electricity and gas or oil. electricity from the sun. Alongside Do the panels need maintenance? these you can install a thermodynamic If I install a thermodynamic system, The systems are very robust and will I still need my old boiler? self-cleaning which is of particular As thermodynamic systems are advantage considering that they are designed to work around the clock, you outside. The systems come with a will no longer need to utilise a tradi- 20-year guarantee and maintenance tional boiler powered by gas or oil to is almost nonexistent. heat your water. However, your boiler will remain to provide heating. You could How long does it take to install then go one step further and install a a thermodynamic system? biomass boiler to heat your space, mak- This very much depends on the size of ing your traditional boiler obsolete. the system. For domestic installations, There are a lot of renewable heat tech- it can take one day. For larger sys- nologies out there and a combination of tems for commercial use, installation different systems can work well. can take anything from two days up to seven If thermodynamic panels don't days, but your water need to be put on my roof, heating will not be where can I put them? disrupted during Although the panels don’t need to go installation and the on the roof, they can. The beauty of switch over to your the system is that the panels can be new system is WWW.SHUTTERSTOCK.COM installed on the roof, on the side of a very simple. heated pools and continually fl owing a fi xed amount on the heat energy you league table when it comes to making showers, the savings will be huge. generate, and if you consider yourself a huge saving through this technology. And if that wasn’t enough, the tech- a green champion, you can also sit So what are you waiting for? ● nology qualifi es for the Renewable back and relax at the thought of the Heat Incentive, which is undoubtedly signifi cant carbon emissions you have If you have any questions about thermo- its biggest advantage. If you choose saved in adopting this system. dynamics, the RHI or any other energy to be among commercial energy users Of course, as with all new technolo- management related matter, contact to pioneer this technology, applying to gies, there will be early adopters keen The Energy Desk on +44 (0)800 3777 889 RHI should most defi nitely be a prior- to reap the benefi ts, but the leisure [email protected] ity. Through the RHI, you will get paid industry stands to be at the top of the www.theenergydesk.co.uk ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 51 TOURISM 08<8=67867 7PeX]VbWPZT]d_cWT[TXbdaTX]Sdbcah^]RTR^ U^d]STa^U2Xa`dTSd B^[TX[3P]XT[6PdcWXTaXbbTcc^S^b^PVPX] ;T very now and then along comes every continent in the world, generating hidden secret,” says Gauthier. a game changer in the tourism revenues exceeding US$810m PA, and This is another transformational industry – an initiative that re- employing more than 4,000 people. Gauthier concept that will elevate mar- shapes the way we think and Individuals who strive to make a dif- ket expectations. It will cause a shift injects a new dynamic that ference and thrive on innovation tend in the way tourism projects are devel- 4infl uences product development or not to be content with making one seis- oped and it will certainly challenge the investment for a decade or more. mic shift; they are impatient to achieve traditional defi nition of ‘integrated des- Game changing projects generally more, Such is the case with the co- tination development’. have their genesis in a fusion of cre- founder of Le Cirque and its president Le Massif de Charlevoix is a destina- ative ideas facilitated by individuals for 11 years, Daniel Gauthier, OC. tion that, according to Gauthier, “will with a willingness to experiment and a Gauthier, the self proclaimed “too offer a panoply of experiences that will desire to be different. young to quit ski bum now lead- unfurl over three environments in the In 1984 Le Cirque du Soleil was ing a new business concept”, has Charlevoix: the Mountain, La Ferme one of those brave, important, game reawakened the leisure industry as and Le Train Touristique.” changers. Le Cirque was founded in the visionary behind Le Massif de Gauthier, holder of Offi cer of the the small community of Baie-Saint- Charlevoix. For the execution of this Order of Canada (one of the high- Paul, 80km east of Quebec City on the vision, Daniel Gauthier has returned est honours in the country), presides St Lawrence River, by a group of avant- to his spiritual home and the moun- over his hand-picked team with indi- garde, self-confessed dreamers. tain overlooking Baie-Saint-Paul where vidual pedigrees as impressive as his Today, Cirque owns 20 different the Le Cirque story began. “It's a place own. This is a collective of exception- shows performed in 270 cities on which for too long has been Canada’s ally experienced property, fi nancial and PHOTO: LE MASSIF DE CHARLEVOIX PHOTO: LE MASSIF DE CHARLEVOIX The touring train travels along 140 km of stunning riverside scenery between Québec City and La Malbaie 52 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 The mountain overlooks the St Lawrence River and provides skiing for a range of ages and abilities PHOTO: BENJAMIN GAGNON “THE MOUNTAIN IS THE KEYSTONE OF THIS PROJECT. IT IS A PLACE WHERE ARTISTS AND ARTISANS HAVE GATHERED FOR 150 YEARS” PHOTO: LE MASSIF DE CHARLEVOIX / A.BLANCHETTE It has 53 ski areas, a snowpark and a 7.5km-long rodelling trail specialist operational talent (see box There is no doubt about the quality public subsidy and the shortage of out p55) that have taken Gauthier’s of the ‘terroir’, or place. This destina- investment brought the realisation that vision and delivered a remarkable new tion has a clear physicality; it is the an investor was needed. In stepped approach to the delivery of a 21st cen- meeting place of cultures and art- Gauthier, who initially became the sole tury touristic experience. ists, it has a special micro-climate investor, leasing the land on a 99 year THE CONCEPT and a good range of locally-produced agreement with the local municipalities products. It is also close to the major and a new partnership emerged. He is Le Massif embodies the principles of centres of population in eastern now chairman of the board of directors sustainable development. Rooted in its Canada and accessible to the US and Gauthier explains that this is an community – indeed fuelled by and co- international markets. inclusive concept; one that's relevant created with, the local community and “It’s a great place to be creative, to across generations, for guests with regional tourism industry – this project make money, to grow the local econ- different backgrounds and from differ- was “borne of a desire to share with omy, to help internationalise Quebec ent communities. He focuses on the a curious, inquisitive and adventur- and to be different,” says Gauthier. realisation of original, genuine and ous clientele, who are sensitive to In 2000, the local community set human-scale experiences, constantly the importance of the wellbeing of the about developing a destination con- offering new encounters based on the planet, an authentic project defi ned cept establishing a not-for-profi t stimulation of all the senses. It is pure as being a place for pleasure, learning organisation to take it forward. The theatre with the guests being active and discovery,” says Gauthier. lack of a strong vision, the need for participants in creating their own expe- ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 53 TOURISM THE VALUES riences using the environment and the facilities as their stage. THE LE MASSIF DEVELOPMENT IS Underscoring these values are a clear Such visionary projects don’t come FOUNDED ON FOUR CORE VALUES: set of well-established development cheap. This project represents an over- principles: all investment of over $300m. It will N RESPECT: N A vision for sustainable development directly support 600 jobs and help sus- for mankind and nature N Concern and partnership approach for tain a further 1,200 jobs in the region. tourism development across the region THE VISION N ENJOYMENT: N Diversity of form, design and types of of the senses through communion experiences, including the accommodation Gauthier’s vision is based on fusion... with nature N Contemporary design with echoes of creating a place where people can heritage and culture explore their environment using all N CHALLENGE: N Robust gastronomy based upon the their senses, where there will be free- the search for balance by exploring local terroir dom of movement, discovery of local your own personal physical, spiritual N Multiple destinations within a single food and craft in a creative, innovative and perceptual boundaries destination setting. Le Massif will be an ecologi- N Creating conviviality through social cal showcase where the spirit of the N EXCHANGE: meeting places place, its cultures and its produce are an awareness of the importance N Different forms of transport to and given centre stage. of sharing ideas and the process within the destination This is a destination encompass- of giving and taking N Creating quality local jobs ing art, the outdoors, heritage, local gastronomy, architecture, design, well- ness and of course people. 53 ski trails, calibre and beginners' THE TRAIN THE MOUNTAIN areas as well as a snowpark and a 7.5km long rodeling trail. Connectivity and accessibility from The Mountain is the keystone of the The Mountain is now a year-round, Quebec City and the core markets of project. A vast skiable terrain of over four seasons destination for skiing, Montreal and the USA is essential. 400 acres rising 770m from the walking and mountain biking, as well Securing the ownership of the 140km shores of the St Lawrence river, this as a creative landscape whose use stretch of the railway line linking is part of a UNESCO-designated bio- and development – be it for whale Quebec city with La Mailbaie (including sphere and a meeting point of cultures watching on the river or the devel- 85km of unrivalled riverside scenery) – a place where artists and artisans opment of lodges and trails on the was identified as being a critical suc- have gathered and been inspired by mountain – all adhere to strict sus- cess factor for the project. each other for 150 years. tainable principles agreed with the The train route has its origins in This is the highest vertical point community, who remain the landown- 1889 when the Quebec Railway east of the Canadian Rockies. It has ers for the majority of the area. Company established what was known PHOTO: LE MASSIF DE CHARLEVOIX Guests on the train enjoy a three course lunch and four course dinner, focusing on local produce 54 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 PHOTO: LE MASSIF DE CHARLEVOIX / ANDRÉ-OLIVIER LYRA PHOTO: LE MASSIF DE CHARLEVOIX / ANDRÉ-OLIVIER LYRA PHOTO: LE MASSIF DE CHARLEVOIX / ANDRÉ-OLIVIER LYRA La Ferme encompasses a hotel (above) and runs regular events including a market selling local produce (top right) as ‘The Good Saint Anne Line’ as it pri- however, the advent of the car and to the exceptional. It is an unambigu- marily served the needs of the annual changing consumer behaviour saw the ous statement of what Gauthier’s Le pilgrimage to the Church of St Anne. demise and eventual closure of the Massif is all about. At its peak, serving the pilgrimage and passenger service in 1996. Operated by Train Touristique de the growing winter sports markets, the It was the genius of Gauthier to real- Charlevoix Inc, the train comprises two line carried 2.5 million passengers, ise that this train could be more than locomotives with two caterpillar power simply a 'people-mover'. In 2009 he cars that also double up as baggage THE SENIOR purchased the railway line from the cars. There are eight Pullman car- MANAGEMENT TEAM Quebec Railway Group and invested riages that have been refurbished with $20m in the creation of a new concept designs by Morelli Designers and ren- DANIEL GAUTHIER, Chairman of the – ‘rail cruise’ – using modern and inno- ovation by the Centre de Realisations Board and Chair of the Executive and vative rolling stock as the setting for a d’Outils Innovateurs. Strategic Development Committee total on-board experience. The Train of Le Massif has a total This experience combines a social capacity of 492 passengers and oper- CLAUDE CHOQUETTE, President and atmosphere; a showcase of Charlevoix ates year round with 254 departures General Manager who is also President gastronomy with exclusively-designed planned for 2012-2013. of HDG Inc (Daniel Gauthier’s holding menus offering distinctive culinary THE HOTEL LA FERME company) experiences; and personalised GPS- activated multimedia shows delivered Hotel La Ferme is the hub of the MARC-VINCENT BOBEE, Vice-President to guests' seats, giving them exposure project, encompassing a public Operations, Planning and Integration to the region’s heritage and landscape. square, a multi-use centre for meeting In this way, Gauthier has ensured and cultural programmes, restaurants, BERNARD SANSOUR, Vice-President that every journey is unique. "The a spa, the railway station and, of Finance and Information Technology passing landscape paints a canvas for course, the 145 bedroom hotel. This a rail cruise of beauty, creativity and architect-designed complex consists NANCY BELLEY, General Manager, conviviality,” he says. of fi ve pavilions that resembles an old Train Touristique de Charlevoix The Train is, therefore, part of the farm complex. It is stylish, eco-friendly overall visitor experience. It's more and will provide guests with the core RICHARD GERMAIN, General Manager, than a scene setter or taster for the services, facilities and amenities. Hotel La Ferme main act. It's clearly designed to help If the Mountain is the soul of the the guest transition from the mundane project then La Ferme is the heart. ● ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 55 HOSPITALITY PEARL OF THE ADRIATIC What is now Croatia has gone from Europe’s top holiday destination to a war zone, and is now emerging as a new market. IO Adria was one of the first leisure operators to put up its flag. Kath Hudson reports roatia is one of the last tourist destination in the 1980s. PIPELINE OF SITES remaining unspoilt canvases Then the Balkans war started in iO Adria (formerly Jupiter Adria) “C in Europe,” says Julian 1991 and the tourism industry spotted Croatia’s potential over seven Houchin, commercial director of UK disappeared. Now, Croatia is coming years ago, and set up the business company iO Adria, “and we aim to back stronger than ever and iO under the auspices of Jupiter Fund be the country’s leading provider of Adria is blazing a trail. “In the 80s, Management in 2005. Having looked leisure and hospitality, competing with Yugoslavia was high volume, low at everything for sale in the country, it the top tourist destinations in Europe.” spend, but now tourism is moving acquired Dubrovnik Sun Gardens – just With a stunning coastline, where towards the luxury end of the market,” 20 minutes outside the historic city – the mountains drop into the sea and explains Houchin. “Croatia is now a and has seven other sites to develop. with more than 100 islands to explore, playground for the rich and famous.” Three are in Istria and will be designed Yugoslavia – which Croatia was once Annual tourist numbers are estimated as small boutique golf estates. Three part of – was Europe’s number one at around 2 million. boutique marina resorts in northern 56 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Dalmatia will cash in on the trend for Houchin. This has driven the focus on start at %170,000, for a one-bed sailing in Croatia. Finally, an island families at the resort, with the option ground floor apartment with a garden resort is planned for Sipan in the Elafiti of self catering accommodation, as view, rising to %608,000 for a three- Islands, near Dubrovnik Sun Gardens. well as a hotel. There’s a children’s bed apartment with a sea view. Under The economic climate has stalled only pool, a nursery, kids’ club, juniors’ Croatian law, they have to be let out the development of the other sites, club and sports and activities to keep when not in use and iO Adria manages but has allowed time to fine tune the teens occupied. the lettings on behalf of the owners concepts and get the flagship, five- The 207 apartments range in for 50 per cent of the rental income. star integrated resort, Dubrovnik size from 44sq m to 111sq m. An Annual ownership fees are %110 per Sun Gardens, running smoothly. “Our important aspect of the business sq m. Houchin says rental returns are research has shown families are a model is the phased, freehold sale up to 4 per cent, after fees, and that strong market and people want multi- of these as holiday homes, which last year one of the owners covered generational get togethers,” says will pay for the development. Prices their annual fees after just six weeks ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 57 HOSPITALITY of rental during the peak season. as sales and marketing director and we RESORT FACILITIES When full, the resort holds 1,200 put £1.75m on the rooms revenue in 12 guests, but even then it’s designed months, achieving a 24 per cent uplift, ■ 13 restaurants, with an to feel spacious, as the infrastructure and up to 46 per cent growth in rooms emphasis on local ingredients, is in place to cater for 1,900 guests. revenue in the last 18 months,” says including olive oil, truffles and This is the size it will be when a Houchin. “Turnarounds is what I do.” the excellent wine and cheese second, 120-bed, five-star hotel and a In high season, two-bed apartments ■ Sports centre with a further 200 residences are completed. are fetching a price tag of up to %660 five-a-side football pitch, Development right next to the sea is a night and a whopping %1,000 for the tennis courts, a volleyball court, restricted in Croatia, so Dubrovnik Sun three-bed apartments. “The booking squash courts, a Technogym Garden’s coastal location is a major system runs to the same model as the gym and an exercise studio asset. Although the Radisson Hotel is budget airlines, where as availability ■ Self-contained conference a more recent addition, the apartments lessens, the prices rise,” explains rooms and facilities have a history. In the 1980s, rich Houchin. “From 1 June, until mid- ■ Spa with 12 treatment rooms, communists holidayed there and September, the resort runs at pretty a gym, a heat experience during the war they were occupied by much full capacity and the average area with salt sauna, sauna, the Yugoslav army, which did the site stay in the summer is 7.2 nights, steamroom and hammam, clearance when it left. which is the highest in Dubrovnik. We supplied by Klafs. A plunge pool also have many long stays of upwards and a freshwater swimming pool FULL OCCUPANCY of three to four weeks, many of whom ■ 3 outdoor pools: one adults iO Adria acquired the resort in 2009 are repeat customers having visited us only, one for families and by the end of 2010, when targets now for the last three years.” ■ A man-made beach, as weren’t being met, the contracts with Currently, the season is eight the coastline doesn’t Radisson were re-negotiated and months, but iO Adria is pushing hard allow for natural beaches Houchin and his team were parachuted to bring visitors all year round, with in. “I rolled up my sleeves, and came in the MICE market being the main 58 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 IO has created its own Croatian-themed spa concept (far left and below left); bedrooms at the Radisson (above left); one of three pools (above); its position on the coast is a major asset (below) I ROLLED UP MY SLEEVES, AND CAME IN AS SALES AND MARKETING DIRECTOR AND WE PUT €1.75M ON THE ROOMS REVENUE IN 12 MONTHS target for off season. Visitors come business. Radisson’s original spa Spa manager, Adriana Barfala, from 145 countries, with 18 per partner was Anne Semonin, but this has put together an interesting cent of them being British and the arrangement ended at the same treatment menu, with gold therapy rest fairly evenly split across the time as Houchin and the iO Adria and shell massage new additions rest of the world. “We are focused team took over the operation of the for this year. These treatments on generating business during the resort and they took the decision to join the seasoned favourites of low and shoulder season,” says launch their own brand. holistic massage, signature facials, Houchin, “and as a result the first “The spa operators we spoke to bathing and couples' rituals, as three months of this year saw projected profits by year 10, but well as the usual fare of manicures room revenues increase by 77 per we want profit in three,” says and pedicures. “My aim is to keep cent.” According to figures from Houchin. Working with UK-based developing programmes which will the Dubrovnik Tourist Board, of spa consultant, Anna Doyle, iO bring people here just for the spa,” the 3,500-plus five sleeper nights Adria created the first Croatian spa says Barfala, “as well as appealling booked in Dubrovnik from January concept and skincare brand, Occo. to customers from the local market to March, Dubrovnik Sun Gardens Each of the iO Adria’s sites will outside peak season.” captured 75 per cent of this growth. feature an Occo spa, but all will For Houchin, after repositioning have a distinctive character. Central the resort to compete with other CROATIAN SPA BRAND to this is the product range: every leading five-star integrated resorts Another important ingredient is the spa has its own products based across Europe, he is focused on resort’s spa: there are plans to on the local foliage, for example a selling the resort's residences, make this a destination spa, which coastal feel for Sipan, and Istrian before moving on to work on will further boost the off-peak vineyards for the site in Mirnavina. developing the other sites. ● ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 59 SENIOR’S SOLUTIONS NUMBER 25 It’s natural to want to improve your business, but beware of change for change’s sake, warns Grahame Senior How to do the Right Thing Concentrate on solutions have been working in the market- that the customers were Mind you, it’s easy to ing business for some 40-odd not yet suffering from avoid making the mis- I years and in the hotel business slogan fatigue. take – all you have to for at least 20 years, but I still It was a valuable do is ask your best cus- keep forgetting my own rules. And illustration of how easy tomers what they want every time, I do so at my peril! it is for anybody run- and what they think. The trouble with running a business ning a business to get Firstly, it will stop you – any business – is that no matter how tired or bored with the making a fool of your- well it’s going, we always keep try- current offering and self and secondly it will ing to do better... and sometimes that restlessly try to do help you make improve- runs the risk of doing worse. something better. It’s a ments that actually Forty fi ve years ago when I was dangerous temptation. work, rather than just in my fi rst advertising agency job, I It may satisfy our restless search for tinkering for the sake of it. can well remember a meeting with perfection but it does risk at best Despite all my years of experience, I our top client’s managing director confusing our clients and at worst los- very nearly fell into this old trap myself (GlaxoSmithKline in those days), in ing them altogether. when planning this coming year’s pro- which he insisted he was tired of the motional mailing. During the winter current campaign, was sure the cus- Understand your market season 2011/12, we ran a series of tomers were equally fed up with it and Whatever kind of hospitality business ‘foodie feasts’ which were designed to wanted to see something new by the you are running, you’re not doing it to bring in individuals who would enjoy end of the week. As a lowly copywriter, satisfy yourself, you’re doing it to sat- a kind of ‘dining club’ atmosphere I could only watch in wonder as my isfy your guests. Whatever it is about and the opportunity to meet with extremely smooth managing director your current offering, if you are more like-minded individuals in congenial pointed out gently and respectfully that, than half full, you must be doing some- surroundings and enjoy different takes as the campaign hadn’t even launched thing right, so changing it on a whim on different cuisines. They have gone on television yet, the chances were can be a very foolish way to go. reasonably well – in fact some of them SOME KEY POINTERS ON GETTING IT RIGHT 1. Don’t change things for change’s sake – do it for a good reason. 2. Always talk it over with the team. 3. Ask your best customers what they want from you – and also what they don’t want. 4. Don’t suddenly be different. People come to you with expec- tations and if you cease to fulfi l them, then they cease to come. 5. Do what it says on the can – deliver what they expect. Howard’s House 6. Make change slowly. Hotel – it’s not just 7. Keep on improving what you do the scenery that with little enhancements rather keeps guests coming than wholesale change. 60 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 A LOCAL HERO may not have mentioned this before but we’re lucky I enough to have on our team at Howard’s House as our number two chef to Nick Wentworth a guy called Paul Firmin. Paul was the original chef-founder of Howard’s House back in the 1990s and he and I became firm friends before he sold it in 2002. He came back to us after a few years away and he did so because he doesn’t like anything as much as he likes cooking. He’s a great guy to have around and he and I decided recently to visit a local hostelry that is famous for its fish. The Red Lion at East Chisenbury is run by Guy Manning and it’s hell to find. Way over on the wrong side of the Guy Manning and the team at The Red Lion A303, up a very narrow country lane, the only entry into the village from the south was blocked off and so we had We perked up. We got even perkier when things started to make a huge detour to get there. When we arrived, we arriving on the plates. The breads were brilliant but the wondered if it was going to be worth it, as the decor was simple fish was completely superb. You wouldn’t think gastro pub shabby and the menus ‘nothing special’. goujons of plaice could have much of a wow factor but That all changed when we ordered. The young girl they did, and the cod with squid was a perfectly judged behind the bar knew every detail of the wines that we celebration from someone with the knowledge and deter- wanted and spoke of them knowledgably, and the young mination to plan right, buy right and cook right. Well done man taking the orders described every aspect of the Guy. I’m sending our whole kitchen and front-of-house dishes with confidence and clarity. team along to check it out on the next possible occasion. were a sell out – but I noticed that not even the ‘jaw-droppingly beautiful’ with one or two exceptions we didn’t “Listening to your (I quote Salisbury Life) environment we get a lot of the same people coming are lucky enough to inhabit. It’s a com- back. Perhaps more significantly, we customers can be bination of everything that makes us didn’t get our most faithful regular cus- a humbling but individual and welcoming. tomers taking up the offers in droves. When it came to planning the cur- heartening experience” Listen to your customers... rent winter campaign, we had some and your staff bright ideas for some exciting evenings The upshot of this is that we’ve simpli- but, before completing the mailing, I fort zone whenever it suits them. fied our promotional programme for the took a bit of my own advice and sent a What has been a great success has coming winter and focused on putting questionnaire to my top 50 customers. been our ‘house party style’ antiques in some relaxed opportunities for peo- The answers I got back were intrigu- weekend and we are running that ple to try new things but without forcing ing and can be best summed up by the again this year. Although it’s not until them into a mould of our own making. remarks of one valued client who has December it’s already a sell out. We had a ‘team day’ last week for been coming to us for over 20 years all the team and shared this informa- and even has most of his private par- Don’t suddenly be different tion. What was very interesting was ties at home catered for by our team. The lesson, I think, is to listen to the their reaction. “I could have told you He said: “Don’t stop doing what you do customers and give them the oppor- that,” said one of our newer and very so well just to do something different”. tunity to join in or not with your new popular members of the front-of-house When analysing the majority of ideas without assuming that because team. “So could I,” said Martin, our responses, it was clear that most of they like you for one thing they’ll like excellent number three chef who, at our regular guests come to us for their you for everything. They simply won’t. 26, is wise beyond his years. own reasons and find we suit them – Listening to your customers can You see, they are often closer to again – for their own reasons. What be a humbling but heartening expe- the customers because they talk to they don’t particularly want is to be rience. What we have found out over them every day. So from now on, all part of someone else’s party – they’d the past few weeks is that the things new ideas will be tested out first with rather make their own. we often take granted about ourselves the staff and then gently simmered in Having had the initial feedback, we (always time to talk, always some pas- front of the key guests before we even had some direct conversations with a sion in the kitchen, always a relaxed think of promoting them. number of our guests. We found that atmosphere without stress or competi- It may sound a bit cowardly but what they actually want is the oppor- tiveness) are what make us attractive. discretion is ever the better part of tunity to come to interesting events It’s not the smartness of the environ- valour and being a bit cautious is an from time to time but the regular and ment (there are smarter places) and awful lot better than losing your best unchanging opportunity to come and it’s not the innovative brilliance of the customers. They are hard won and feel at home within their familiar com- food (there are edgier kitchens). It’s are worth fighting hard for. ● ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 61 LAST WORD DOUG WERNER When Doug Werner's nine-year-old daughter failed a fi tness exam at school, he put together a daily programme to help her get fi t. The results were amazing, and the pair decided to write a book to share their success. Tom Walker fi nds out more. What is your career background? Abbie and Doug created a daily I started working as a part-time fi tness regime to improve her health trainer in one of the fi rst Nautilus and fi tness levels. An added bonus gyms in Boston, Massachusetts, was the time they spent together in 1977. Since then my roles have included sales director for Life Fitness, vice president of commercial sales for Nautilus, country club man- ager for Club Corporation of America in Dallas, Texas, and director of busi- ness development for Star Trac UK. I am currently a vice president for Healthtrax Fitness and Wellness – a hospital-based health club company with operations in eight US states. When did you come up with the idea of writing a book about children's fitness? The idea came nearly four years after utes on a more than reasonable goal She's also taken a strong inter- the true story of my daughter Abbie’s of 11 minutes. The exam also indi- est in nutrition, having read several journey to get fi t. Abbie was so cated a lack of upper body strength. books on the topic and she now uses excited about her own success story an app on her iPhone to log her daily that she became sincerely deter- What did you do to address this? food consumption and calorie intake. mined to help other children get fi t. Abbie and I set out on a quest to With increased energy levels came improve her fi tness levels, with a improved focus. She's now an honour Why did Abbie need to get fit? 60-minute fi tness walk at the core of roll student and just completed her Unlike her younger brother, who plays our daily programme. We usually go seventh grade year with eight As and numerous sports and is in perpetual to bed an hour earlier and get up an four Bs…something we couldn't have motion, Abbie has always been very hour earlier…sometimes as early as imagined four years ago. quiet, sedentary and had no interest 5am. That might sound extreme, but in sports or games. Although never we actually look forward to these early What do you hope to obese or even unhealthy, Abbie has morning walks together. achieve with the book? always been a big girl. We mistakenly We hope that Abbie Gets Fit will help came to accept this disinterest as How did your programme educate parents on not only the need part of her personality. The thought of benefit Abbie? to get involved in their child’s fi tness, her being unfi t never occurred to us Abbie not only got fi t, but also devel- but to appreciate the tremendous ben- as she was always happy and had no oped a genuine interest in fi tness. efi ts of physical fi tness. We also hope body image or health issues. Now, aged 13, she has become a very that the fi tness industry will use this Our wake-up call came when she fi t girl with a great attitude towards story as validation of the benefi ts of was nine years old and failed her wellness. She wears a pedometer low intensity exercise for specialised basic fi tness examination at school. every day and rarely fails to achieve markets and as an inspiration to con- The most disturbing result was her at least 10,000 steps per day, as rec- tribute more towards those markets. ● time in the mile run – over 12 min- ommended by most experts. Details: www.abbiegetsfi t.com 62 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Cross training transformed The new LateralX elliptical is a complete reinvention of cross training, exclusively from Octane Fitness. With smooth, 3D motion that goes from a vertical elliptical stepping motion to an active side-to-side motion that adjusts on the fly, this one-of-a-kind cardio workout trains the body in new directions for greater challenge, better performance, and total-body transformation. LateralX adds muscle confusion to your cardio floor and takes members in a new direction. See it live at LIW 2012! Visit us at the LIW 2012 show UÊL>Ê>ÕV ÊvÊÌ iÊÊ-Ì>}iÊÓÊÃi>Ìi`ÊÝ,ÈäääÊÝÌÀ>iÀ UÊ8ÌÀ>iÀÃÊvÀÊëiV>ÌÞÊ>ÀiÌÃÊÊ*/]ÊÀi >LÊ>`Ê UÊ ,"--Ê , 1/ÊÊÊViÊ>`ÊÃiiÊÜ >ÌÊÃÌÀi}Ì vÕÃi`ÊÊÊ cardio is all about! UÊ i>ÀÊ>LÕÌÊÌ iÊÕµÕiÊÝÌÀ>iÀÃÊÞÕÊV>ÊÞÊv`Ê>ÌÊÊ Scan this code Octane Fitness! to see it come to life! WWW.OCTANEFITNESS.COM Neil Campbell 07799 475366 s Stand H563 at LIW © Copyright 2012. All rights reserved by Octane Fitness. [email protected] www.matrixfitness.co.uk LIW SHOW PREVIEW LEISURE INDUSTRY WEEK 2012 Leisure Industry Week (LIW) Venue: NEC, Birmingham tors will be able to gather all of the returns to Birmingham NEC Dates: 18–20 September 2012 information they require in a face-to- Opening Times: face setting. They will also have the this month with more than Tues 18 Sept, 10am – 5pm chance to research and try out the 300 exhibitors for what Weds 19 Sept, 10am – 5pm newest and upcoming innovations. Thurs 20 Sept , 10am – 4pm Back by popular demand, LIW 2012 promises to be another Registration: Pre-register for the will once again deliver more than 150 inspirational show show for free at www.liw.co.uk hours of varied seminar sessions in Keep up to date at: Twitter @L_I_W, the Education Village, sponsored by IW is the only UK trade show to LinkedIn ‘Leisure Industry Week’ group and Matrix, which will be positioned on cover the entire out of home lei- Facebook ‘Leisure Industry Week’ page the show fl oor. Visitors seeking CPD L sure industry with an exciting accreditation or inspiration, or just range of sectors incorporating Play & With both local and national budget wanting to keep up-to-date with indus- Attractions, Health & Fitness, Sport, cuts still affecting leisure services, it try trends, will have hours of free Pool & Spa, Eat & Drink and Leisure is essential that operators really con- education at their fi ngertips, from Facilities. These sectors combine sider how best to spend their money practical advice and expert-led ses- to offer leisure professionals, from in order to ensure maximum effi ciency sions to case studies. This year's health club operators and public sec- throughout the procurement process. highlights include the Fitness Industry tor managers to attractions buyers and LIW provides the perfect opportunity Association (FIA) Keynote, Olympian catering specialists, inspirational and to do just that; with specialists in their speaker sessions and the CPD- innovative business solutions. fi elds around the exhibition fl oor, visi- accredited REPs National Convention. SECTOR HIGHLIGHTS their stands to discuss the challenges The Pool Water Treatment Advisory POOL & SPA facing the industry at the moment and Group (PWTAG) will present an out- will also be contributing to the free line of its new code of practice while The pool and spa area education programme. describing its implementation. This provides the perfect Safety is never far from a pool and presentation will include contributions opportunity to network spa professional’s mind and so, for from Dr Gordon Nichols of the Health with industry col- the fi rst time, LIW welcomes the Royal Protection Agency; Janice Calvert, leagues, keep up to date Society for the Prevention of Accidents Chair of PWTAG; and Ralf Riley, former with industry trends and source the (RoSPA), who will be hosting a walk-in chief executive of the Institute of Sport latest products, technologies and serv- Safety Advice Clinic where visitors can and Recreation Management. These ices to hit the market. seek advice from the experts. sessions are free and will be seated Exhibitors will be on hand to discuss Allison Spears, HM Inspector of on a fi rst-come, fi rst-served basis. the business potential of incorporat- Health and Safety at the Health and The Pool and Spa section welcomes ing children’s classes into an existing Safety Executive (HSE), will present numerous new exhibitors this year programme with various companies a seminar alongside RoSPA’s David including Aquavate, Highfi eld Awarding on hand to outline how their products Walker, titled Health and Safety in Body for Compliance and Splashabout, could open up this valuable market Swimming Pools. The session will run alongside returning names including opportunity, from swimwear and play on Wednesday 19 September and will RLSS UK, JC Leisure Solutions and equipment to specialised classes. focus on the Managing Health and Certikin. These exhibitors will give The Amateur Swimming Association Safety in Swimming Pools guidance, visitors a multitude of options from (ASA) and the Swimming Teachers exploring why the guidance is being secondary spend products to cleaning, Association (STA) will be on hand at updated and what it plans to achieve. heating and safety solutions. 66 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2011 LIW is set to welcome more than 9,000 leisure industry professionals advice clinic for play and attractions course, in addition to a climbing wall PLAY & ATTRACTIONS professionals. Specialists will be on and a mobile zip line. hand to offer advice and information to In the Outdoor Play Area, Innovative Play and Attractions at visitors on a range of safety issues. Leisure will showcase its products LIW provides a dedi- RoSPA will also feature in the free alongside Waterwalkerz' infl atable cated forum for the Education Village. During the session games and outdoor gym equipment, family entertainment they will present case studies focus- Extreme Adventure’s high ropes and visitor attractions ing on issues including children’s play, course, Play Bus Company’s buses, sector to explore indoor and outdoor swimming and water safety, risk man- Autoculture Distributions’ go karts and play equipment, test new products and agement for international locations theming from Snow Business. keep up with the latest developments. and events, and safety promotion for Supported by the Play Providers risk seekers. Another area of focus Association (PPA), this section of the will be the importance of promoting show will inspire and educate. The positive risk choices through changing PPA will be running its conference on attitudes, perceptions and education. Tuesday 18th and Wednesday 19th Interactive family attractions special- September with top-rated speakers ist Innovative Leisure will once again from the attractions sector poised to be a key exhibitor at this year’s LIW. share their ideas, leadership advice The Innovative Leisure display will be and motivation. The ASPIRE awards the central feature of the Play and are being held at the newly re-opened Attractions section of the show. Drayton Manor Hotel. Among the products being shown by The Royal Society for the Prevention the Leicester-based company will be Innovative Leisure and Extreme of Accidents (RoSPA) will also host an a fully operational SkyTrail high ropes Adventures will exhibit ropes courses ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2011 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 67 LIW SHOW PREVIEW The Health & Fitness section of the show will see a new focus on group fitness HEALTH & FITNESS tine. Whether you're seven or 77, you and successes of can follow the Bokwa moves. The team some of the leaders will be on hand within the Bokwa Arena in the outdoor fitness field. Once again, LIW wel- and also on the live stage, LIW Live, The Register of Exercise comes all of the leading on each day of the show. Professionals (REPs) will be running fitness companies to LIW has also commissioned Leisure- its National Convention over all three the show. Technogym, net Solutions, leading customer insight days of the LIW show. This year's con- Life Fitness, Matrix, and business intelligence provider, to vention is full of vital updates and Precor, Power Plate, Escape Fitness, produce a market intelligence report bite-sized CPD accredited training to Pulse and a whole host of others will into the rapidly expanding and increas- keep you on top of industry trends. bring their newest equipment for visi- ingly popular outdoor fitness sector. There will be one point awarded per tors to try out for themselves. There The report will be outlined as part session attended. will also be a new focus on group fit- of the Education Village programme Programme highlights include inspi- ness with the Les Mills Exercise Arena sponsored by Matrix and will be made rational keynote sessions from weight and the Bokwa Arena. available for download to LIW visitors. loss guru Pete Cohen who will be Les Mills UK is set to launch GRIT With research questions targeted at presenting 'Obesity – an untapped fit- SERIES, its latest High Intensity both consumer and trade representa- ness market', Tim Fearon from The Interval Training (HIIT) programme. tives, the report will analyse the size, Extraordinary Coaching Company GRIT SERIES provides the perfect growth and potential of the market as presenting 'Welcome to the age of dif- platform for operators to maximize rev- well as providing insight into the moti- ferent' and Bob Laventure of Later enue around the demand for small vations of outdoor fitness participants. Life Training presenting 'Can you really group and team training, while helping Three key industry players will also teach an old dog new tricks?' to attract and retain younger members. be represented with in-depth case In addition to these keynotes, REPs Keith Burnet, CEO of Les Mills UK, studies into the business practices is set to present a dynamic selection says: “Les Mills GRIT SERIES is the of 40 interactive workshops. These ultimate opportunity to increase reten- include the following topics: ‘Carbs for tion and membership. It’s the most exercise? Think again!’, ‘Maximise innovative fitness trend right now and “ LIW has commissioned building a small business into a brand’, we’ve designed our offering so clubs Leisure-net Solutions ‘Working with specialist medical condi- can provide members a premium, tions’, ‘Food addiction – it’s not all in PT-style workout without the expensive to produce a market the mind!’, ‘The dos, don’ts and whys price tag, or offer it to members free of postnatal exercise’ and ‘Training the of charge as a value add. intelligence report into active independent older adult'. Bokwa will demonstrate the new fit- the increasingly popular Visitors can book a place on these ness craze where participants ‘Sweat sessions at www.liw.co.uk. Tickets are the Alphabet and Dance the Digits,’ outdoor fitness sector available on a first-come, first-served drawing letters and numbers with their basis with an exclusive discount avail- feet while doing an intense cardio rou- able to REPs members. 68 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2011 Come and see us on Stand H825 100% focused on gym users Avoid ‘daily deal’ bargain hunters No cost to participate Quick and easy to get started GO TO WWW.PAYASUGYM.COM/EXPO As featured in : LIW SHOW PREVIEW LIW LIVE LAUNCHED LIW Live launches this year as a plat- form for exhibitors to display the best live action from their company on a live stage in the middle of the show fl oor. Some of the UK’s leading Olympic faces will be joining exhibitors on their stands and will also make an appear- ance on the brand new live stage, taking part in question and answer sessions. Already lined up for this pro- gramme are 2012 bronze medallist Greg Searle and badminton ace Gail Emms, both attending with Precor, and the three time world champion and 2012 bronze medallist Beth Tweddle MBE, founder of exhibiting company Total Gymnastics, which will be show- casing its new programme, Gym Stars. Bronze medalist Greg Also taking part will be the cast of Searle will be appearing The Apprentice 2012, with contest- on the LIW Live stage ants Stephen Brady and Adam Corbally exhibiting with their new company mysuccesscoach.com. The Biggest the hardest sports in the world and the tors will be able to join in – with the Loser winner Kevin McLernon will also importance of increasing participation most enthusiastic Powerhooper win- be accompanying Concept2 to the show in swimming and aquatic activities. ning their own hoop. Bokwa, Funky with plans to outline ways in which fi t- Swimwear brand Zoggs will be host- Moves, Revolve Fitness, Elite Sports ness providers can attract completely ing a fashion show showcasing its Performance and Unikurve will also be disengaged participants to their facil- newest ranges. With new group fi tness performing dynamic demonstrations. ities. Britain’s Got Talent fi nalist Zoe trends emerging all the time, visitors The LIW Live programme will run Cooper is also set to appear with the will have the chance to see sample- throughout the three days of the show Swimming Teacher’s Association dis- size demonstrations of the next big with a full outline of demonstrations, cussing her Aquabatique experience, things to hit the market. These include interviews and showcases on the LIW why synchronised swimming is one of Powerhoop sessions, in which visi- website and in the LIW showguide. VISITING THE SHOW LEISURE FACILITIES SPORT EAT & DRINK The leisure facilities With the London 2012 One of the reasons visi- section of LIW caters for Olympic and Paralympic tors give for attending visitors from the entire Games just behind us, LIW is to investigate spectrum of the leisure it seems that the whole potential new options industry. In one day at LIW world is talking about leg- for increasing secondary you will be able to ensure that your acy. The responsibility is partly on the spend at their premises or site. This is company or site has the latest and leisure industry to keep people moti- where the eat and drink section of the most technologically sound facilities it vated, engaged, active and healthy. show really comes into its own. needs to run effi ciently, cost-effectively Visitors will have the opportunity to Visitors will have the chance to feast and, most importantly, safely. talk to the exhibitors across the show their senses on the latest food inno- Exhibitors within this part of the fl oor about what they are doing to pro- vations, watch tasty demos, sample a show will include specialists in sig- mote Olympic legacy and will fi nd that wide range of treats and meet the sup- nage, energy effi ciency, membership this topic is high on the agendas of pliers that could shake up their menus. management and retention, infor- the majority of the professionals. This element of the show features mation technology, heating, cooling, Also, keep an eye out for the companies with a range of products fl ooring, water treatment, lockers, Olympian Q&A sessions on the LIW including vending machines, soft payments, software, uniforms, ticket- Live stage as well as seminars within drinks, healthy snacks, ice cream, ing and refurbishments. the education theatres. pizza and energy drinks. ● 70 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2011 ADVERTISEMENT PROMOTION “Contact Manager will give us more time to sell more memberships and is already becoming an invaluable addition to the team!” CONTACT MANAGER joins the One Leisure sales team Huntingdonshire District Council is the first to launch Gladstone Health and Leisure’s Contact Manager sales management software. One Leisure, which manages five leisure sites in Huntingdon, Ramsey, Sawtry, St. Ives and St. Neots, piloted the new system over a three-month period, assisting Gladstone in ironing out any glitches before its official launch this month. fter working on the initial previous information is included in the the Plus2 database so that it tracks the stages of Contact Manager customer journey. Historically I’ve had to customer journey along its way. I am excited to start using input into our Plus2 membership system Outreaching is also easy. With a A the software. The way it will and then detail all member journeys on a template, emails and text messages can be assist the sales team in terms of cutting separate spreadsheet, constantly moving sent to multiple recipients at the touch of time and, more importantly, eliminating the between the two, updating and double a button. And I can run all the reports I need to duplicate work appear invaluable. checking changes made to a prospect’s or need from one place, in real time too. Adding all contact information directly member’s profile. The greatest thing that Contact into Contact Manager at the prospect If I wanted to catch up with any non- Manager will do for us is save time. Our stage means all details are at hand. The joiners I would have to find them via the system before was very laborious and so existing member check ensures that spreadsheet and then cross reference it’s a delight to open a programme and see with Plus2, the same as I would to how simple it is to use. Contact Manager check if any prospects had joined during will give us more time to sell more my absence. It’s the way that Contact memberships and is already becoming an Manager integrates with Plus2 that makes invaluable addition to the team! tracking simple. Nadine Thomson, Member Care Contact Manager alerts the sales staff Leader at One Leisure to new tasks that require attention along the sales process and I can easily see the To find out more about sales team’s daily logs, such as outgoing Contact Manager or to calls, and can instantly check on their see the video case study, contact and prospect progress, along call +44 (0)1491 201010 with any outstanding issues such as follow or visit “The greatest thing that Contact up contact with new members. Basically www.gladstonemrm.com Manager will do for us is save time” the system acts as their diary, but using ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 71 EXHIBITOR NEWS EXHIBITOR NEWS THE LATEST NEWS FROM SOME EXHIBITORS AT LIW 2012 ACTIVE IQ AUTHENTIC8 Tel: +44 (0)1480 467950 Tel:+44 (0)845 0264744 www.activeiq.co.uk www.authentic8id.com/ Active IQ is one of the UK’s leading Ofqual approved awarding Authentic8 supplies plastic cards, key tags and fobs for use organisations (AO), covering health, fitness, sport and recreation. with any software system. As part of the Jonas Software Dynamic and flexible, the company designs qualifications that Group, we have significant resource and experience in support clearly defined career pathways. With an excess of 75 integrating our card and tag products with complex accredited qualifications available, over 450 approved training management systems operated within the leisure, sports, providers both nationally and internationally, and high quality fitness, education, hotel, library and transport sectors. Our qualification support, Active IQ strives to enable training providers new online shop and designer studio means you can design, to deliver the best possible learning experience to its students. create and order your own bespoke cards and tags whenever SECTION: HEALTH & FITNESS and wherever you want. SECTION: LEISURE FACILITIES ASHBOURNE MANAGEMENT SERVICES Tel: +44 (0)871 271 2088 BETTER BELLY® www.ashbournemanagement.co.uk Tel: +31 6543 63361 Ashbourne launch their Membership www.betterbelly.co.uk Validation Till System at LIW. This makes it Better Business with Better Belly®! The guarantee for more easy for clubs to increase secondary spend. members and more sales for entrepreneurs! Training hours By linking members’ payment status to a with Better Belly® give members the opportunity to get rid of touch-screen till system, clubs can allow fat around the stomach quickly and effectively. Within four members to make purchases for classes, weeks a person can drop up to 2 dress sizes. Better Belly® is a drinks, supplements, in fact anything, good device for current members of fitness centres because it without the need for cash. All purchases offers something new which shows a convincing effect and it are able to be added to a member’s also attracts people who don’t like exercising a lot but who are monthly membership direct debit. A Club members can now coming into centres to exercise again. Which is just what complete package of software, touch- make purchases we want! Are you curious about Better Belly® and would like screen, secure till and receipt printer is without needing to find out more about how you can use Better Belly® in your available as a great deal to Ashbourne cash using centre? Then please visit us at Hal 19 - H680 clients. See a demo on our stand, H396. Ashbourne’s touch www.betterbelly.co.uk SECTION: LEISURE FACILITIES screen system SECTION: HEALTH & FITNESS 72 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 ! " ### Raise$ %#"% standards today; become & FIA COP compliant. To find out more visit us at LIW in the industry lounge, stand H465. ( /$#'(# %#(& #( $#( #+%( *$( $#& #&//+ ( %#(& $0&')#%&!!!&$"$"$( $# & ( &$) %#(& ( #$!$ -!(')'&' )'('(& ((+ !! $" #+ ( ( ! (-($-#" !!-%('(& !# ( ( $0&'!$+ "%(+$& $)(,%& #+ ( )#& *!!%&'$#! '( $##! " (!''# "#( . #$%&$& $".%&$& $" EXHIBITOR NEWS BODYSTAT LTD Tel: +44 (0)1624 629571 www.bodystat.com Bodystat are the developers of one of the worlds leading bioimpedance systems measuring muscle, fat and water levels. Monitoring of body composition is easy to carry out using our handheld portable unit. Many customers use our systems as a source of Income Generation. Others provide an added value service to retain and increase membership. With optional Windows software programs, the BODYSTAT system provides all the facilities that a professional needs to offer a comprehensive service. SECTION: HEALTH & FITNESS Codelocks installed KitLock into Champneys CERTIKIN INTERNATIONAL LTD CODELOCKS LTD Tel: +44 (0)1993 778855 Tel: +44 (0)1635 239645 www.certikin.co.uk www.kitlock.com When it comes to the supply of Wellness equipment, nobody Champneys install KitLock Visit us on stand F100 and find out does it better than Certikin as the luxurious Headland Hotel why Champneys Health Spa has removed all the key-operated in Newquay will testify. Apex Pool Engineers recently carried locks from their changing room lockers and replaced them out a refurbishment of the existing pool and added an with KitLock digital cabinet locks instead. KitLock uses a impressive Wellness suite - including the sought-after four-digit code rather than a key to operate and secure Tranquillity range from Certikin. A Cornish salt steam room, lockers. Champneys guests simply enter a code, “lock and go”, aromatherapy showers, large tiled overflow spa bath and a free to enjoy the facilities without having to carry a key around stunning sauna were all installed to great acclaim. with them. “The KitLock solution is more professional and, SECTION: POOL & SPA from a guest perspective, the lockers are now far more secure as keys are not left lying around in robe pockets,” said Alex De Carvalho, Managing Director at Champneys. In ‘locker-mode’ function, KitLock operates with a single-use code setting facility. The guest enters a four-digit code, that will lock and open the locker only once, then be erased. The locker then remains open until another guest. SECTION: LEISURE FACILITIES CONCEPT 2 Tel: +44 (0)115 9455450 www.wattbike.com Concept2’s LIW stand will showcase the innovative functional zone that can be created by combining Concept2 Indoor Rowers with SkiErgs and Wattbikes. These high-accuracy products have been adopted by the CrossFit community, confirming their suitability for functional training. On 18th September, Kevin McLernon, winner of ITV’s Biggest Loser, will be appearing on the Concept2 stand and the LIW Live Stage, describing how instrumental to his amazing weight loss the Concept2 Indoor was. Certikin refurbished the Headland Hotel pool SECTION: HEALTH & FITNESS GET OUT YOUR SEATS AND JUMP AROUND... JUMP UP, JUMP UP AND GET DOWN. Get your members jumping with excitement and keep up to date with the latest industry trends from Escape Fitness. Order your 2013 product brochure to check out the latest and greatest functional training equipment and innovative training spaces. Read views from leading industry experts and the secrets of their success. Plus there’s a few other surprises for you to look out for. What are you waiting for? Jump up and order your copy now call 0800 458 5558 or visit www.escapefitness.com/HCM. Visit us at LIW in September – stand H250 advertisement promotion Cybex goes from strength to strength As one of the industry’s leading providers of premium well as the promotion of Rob Thurston from UK exercise equipment, 2012 has already been a busy sales manager to commercial director. Not forgetting year for Cybex. The company has seen the opening many new sites and extending partnerships with of its new UK showcase site and Games-time existing clients, plus the launch of award-winning Training Venue SportHouse in March; new additions product ranges, Cybex UK looks set to build on the to the UK team in sales and training departments as success of 2011 with a fantastic 2012. Global success and talented young athletes, alongside The past 12 months has also supported by UK the local community. seen Cybex extend its longstanding In an announcement made in February With over 1000m² of training relationship with Nuffi eld Health, the to the US financial markets, Cybex space and over 250 pieces of Cybex UK’s leading provider of employee reported a series of strong financial cardiovascular and strength equipment, wellbeing services and market leader in results for 2011, which saw net sales SportHouse houses one of the country’s the design, build and management of on- across the global group increase by 14% most comprehensive sports conditioning site company health and fi tness facilities. to $140.1m. gyms. Described by Sir Steve Redgrave As one of Cybex’s key clients, Nuffi eld On explaining what the results mean CBE as “world class,” SportHouse has Health has partnered with Cybex on to the UK market, Rob Thurston, received signifi cant press attention since the provision of a range of corporate commercial director said, “It’s its offi cial opening, which was attended training facilities to include Deutsche important that our customers can see by some of the industry’s leading fi gures. Bank, Waitrose HQ and since January the positive fi nancial results and overall “The gym at SportHouse has been 2012, Network Rail HQ, Invesco fi nancial position of the business, both designed to cater for a diverse range Perpetual, Lloyds Banking Group and in the UK and as a global group. The of users,” commented Mark Harrop, The Club at Baltimore, London’s largest successes of the last 12 months have director of sport and leisure industry residential gym facility. been replicated in the UK and we have consultancy HBA. “Nuffi eld Health is the largest provider maintained this success throughout 2012. “Cybex’s focus on engineering of employee wellbeing services in “This means we are again confi dent of equipment that is biomechanically the UK so it is only fi tting that we strong year on year growth and as the correct factored greatly in our decision have partnered with Cybex on a company continues to invest further and with its comprehensive range of number of high-profi le projects. This resources in bringing new and exciting IFI accredited equipment, we felt that partnership with Cybex enables us to products to the market, our customers Cybex provided the best solution for the deliver fi rst-class fi tness and wellbeing can be sure that our product ranges will site.” The facilities at SportHouse can be facilities, with excellent levels of remain at the forefront of the health and viewed at www.sporthouse.co.uk. service, professionalism and expertise,” fi tness industry.” confi rmed Daniel Law, operations director for Nuffi eld Health. Extending partnerships with “The equipment Cybex provides is of new & existing clients such a high quality that we continue to March 2012 saw the official launch of receive very positive feedback from SportHouse, a leading fitness training our corporate clients.” facility and Cybex’s brand new UK showcase site, located in Barking. An IFI first for Cybex Whilst it is the sports hall and As one of a select number of not the gym that was awarded suppliers to offer IFI accredited the status of Games-time The Cybex E3 View equipment, Cybex’s Total Access Training Venue, it is the gym is one of the industry’s range is certified to IFI standard that will play a central part in most advanced level 2. retaining the sporting legacy, entertainment consoles “By incorporating the as SportHouse aims to target unique design requirements both elite performing teams directly into our product 78 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 SportHouse is home to over 250 pieces of Cybex equipment, including the Big Iron lifting platform Network Rail chose customised Cybex’s Bravo Press and Bravo colours, made possible by Pull were awarded the prestigious Cybex’s build-to-order policy FIBO Innovation Award 2012 research and development, we’ve recumbent bikes as well as Cybex’s Guide, a free App that is available for been able to produce a range of both ground-breaking lower and total body download via the Cybex website and cardio and strength equipment that is Arc Trainers, the 770 series guarantees iTunes, can also be used in conjunction accessible to the physically impaired, but maximum durability, stability and greater with the equipment. which doesn’t exclude other exercisers,” comfort, whilst also offering more Utilising Progressive Stabilisation, confi rms Richard Purves, Cybex senior entertainment options than any other Cybex’s Bravo Press and Bravo Pull regional manager. product range in the company’s history. are the fi rst multi-function cable Energise, a local authority-owned Cybex will also be launching its 625 training stations to offer the stability training facility and existing Cybex client cardio series at LIW 2012, offering and strength potential found in single- based in York, was the fi rst centre in the customers an alternative product range function, fi xed-path equipment along UK to be awarded the Inclusive Fitness for commercial use. with the expanded movement variety Mark. This September will see the Both the new 625 and 770 series are typical with multi-function cable training opening of its newly-extended training compatible with another of Cybex’s systems; in recognition of this, the facility, taking its number of Cybex latest innovations and one of the series was awarded the prestigious FIBO equipment to almost 90 pieces. industry’s most advanced entertainment Innovation Award 2012 for its patented “The positive feedback we’ve had consoles, the Cybex E3 View: Progressive Stabilisation system in April. from our members has supported our “Recognising that everyone approaches decision to re-engage with Cybex and exercise differently, we have developed Exciting times ahead our new suite of premium equipment the E3 view to give users three distinct “We’ve experienced a fantastic year so will further ensure that we can deliver to viewing modes that deliver the precise far, with many new projects already our members’ requirements,” confi rmed content they want,” confi rmed Rob secured over the coming months,” Paul Bickle, leisure centre manager. Thurston. confirmed Rob Thurston. This year’s LIW will also feature “As a brand, we are internationally- Delivering the latest in Cybex’s revolutionary Bravo functional renowned for our premium quality, technology and design training system. Comprising of the highly durable equipment and as we Launching at this year’s Leisure Industry Bravo functional trainer and Bravo continue to invest in new technology, Week, the Cybex 770 cardio series is Lift, Press and Pull systems, the four research and design, Cybex will the company’s most advanced range of machines have been incorporated into continue to cement its position as one premium commercial cardio equipment. a brand new Bravo Boot Camp training of the industry’s leading equipment Incorporating a treadmill, upright and programme; Cybex’s Bravo Workout manufacturers.” L ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 79 EXHIBITOR NEWS CYBEX INTERNATIONAL UK LTD Tel: +44 (0)845 606 0228 www.cybexintl.com Cybex is a leading manufacturer of premium exercise equipment, designed to improve physical well being, function and performance. Launching at this year’s Leisure Industry Week, the Cybex 770 series is the company’s most advanced range of premium commercial cardiovascular equipment. Incorporating Dalesauna leads innovation in sauna and steam relaxation a treadmill, upright and recumbent bikes Cybex will reveal as well as Cybex’s ground-breaking its 770 CV series DALESAUNA LTD lower and total body Arc Trainers, the Tel: +44 (0)1423 798630 770 series guarantees maximum durability, stability and www.dalesauna.co.uk greater comfort, whilst also offering more entertainment It is without doubt true that everything does go in cycles, and options than any other product range in the company’s indeed the Local Authority and Trust sector have certainly come history. Cybex will also be launching its 625 cardiovascular back strong in the past couple of years, despite the much series at LIW, offering customers an alternative product mooted government spending cuts. It seems that some of the range for commercial use. Both the new 625 and 770 series more entrepreneurial authorities have seen the future, which is are compatible with another of Cybex’s latest innovations and not all about pure fitness but the more all encompassing one of the industry’s most advanced entertainment consoles, “wellness” and the latest new builds and refurbishments have the Cybex E3 View. Offering users three distinct viewing certainly taken this into consideration. The Lagoon, Paisley, modes, the E3 View high definition embedded monitor is also Westminster Lodge St, Albans and Ramsgate Leisure Centre are fully compatible with iPhone and iPod connections. LIW will just three facilities that have committed hundreds of thousands also feature Cybex’s revolutionary Bravo functional training (millions in some cases), to offering better facilities for the system; in recognition of its unique Progressive Stabilisation community, and with wellbeing and mental health, high on the system, the series was awarded the prestigious FIBO agenda, this seems to be the start of an ongoing trend, as the Innovation Award 2012 in April. benefits of relaxation now counts as highly as pure fitness. SECTION: HEALTH & FITNESS SECTION: POOL & SPA 80 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Turn your PTs into world-class fitness leaders PTA Global develops PTs who get clients, keep clients and increase revenue for your business. Our bridging and advanced courses are created by the world’s leading educators, including Paul Chek and Rodney Corn. www.ptaglobal.co.uk 3954 Visit our stand at LIW and win a masterclass for your PT team EXHIBITOR NEWS The future of fi tness... Escape provides engaging spaces for group exercise and functional training ESCAPE FITNESS Tel: +44 (0)1733 313535 www.escapefitness.com What does your current PT or functional area say about you to your clients? Do you want to improve on your Group ...be part of it. Exercise class take up? Does your club need reinventing? We can work with you to create an engaging, exciting, functional space that will help you to stand head and shoulders above the competition, increase your member base and help with member retention. Escape Fitness provides companies like you A revolutionary new product with engaging spaces for Group Exercise and Functional from Pulse Fitness, featuring Training. We have worked with some of the largest clubs in the world using our complete solution for design, equipment, a unique, innovative, powerful flooring and education to exceed their needs. If you would like movement proven to deliver to see what we could do to help your business and check out greater results in less time what we have done for other operators all over the world come and see us on stand H250 at LIW 2012. – burning more calories SECTION: HEALTH & FITNESS and conditioning the body simultaneously. EUROSITE POWER Tel: +44 (0)845 693 2848 www.eurositepower.co.uk Launching into the UK leisure industry at LIW 2012, EuroSite Power offers a capital free, risk free way to reduce energy Be the first to try it at LIW 2012. Eurosite’s on-site costs forever. EuroSite Power’s On-Site Utility Solutions are solutions are already hugely established in the US and are now available in now available the UK. Lower energy costs, reduced taxation and increased in the UK cash flow are instantly achieved with zero capital outlay. The equipment required is financed, installed, owned and operated by EuroSite Power rather than the client - who 18-20 Sept 2012 - NEC Birmingham UK simply pays for the energy they use at a Stand H360 cheaper rate than without the equipment in place. For more information, visit stand P236. SECTION: .com .com .com .com LEISURE FACILITIES ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 club-pulse pulseselect pulsesoccer pulsefitness WHAT IS FITNESS FORWARD? It’s our new direction…building on a legacy of extraordinarily tested and remarkably perfected equipment. We are changing where the industry and your business is going. This is the future of fi tness. SEE IT ALL IN ACTION ON OUR STAND AT LEISURE INDUSTRY WEEK 2012... LIFEFITNESS.CO.UK/FITNESSFORWARD © 2012 Life Fitness, a division of Brunswick Corporation. All rights reserved. Life Fitness is a registered trademark of Brunswick Corporation. EXHIBITOR NEWS FIA - MORE PEOPLE / MORE ACTIVE / MORE OFTEN Tel:+44 (0)20 7420 8560 www.fia.org.uk The FIA is the trade body for the UK health and fitness sector, representing over 3,000 outdoor and indoor organisations from the public, private and third sectors. As a facilitator, the FIA work across the following areas; s TALKING TO GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE SURE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY HEALTH and wellbeing is high on the agenda s CREATING PARTNERSHIPS IN THE PURSUIT OF A HEALTHIER NATION s DELIVERING HEALTH AND WELLBEING PROGRAMMES TO INCREASE physical activity s DEVELOPING NEW INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF PROVISION offered by the sector s ORGANISING EVENTS TO UP SKILL THE WORKFORCE s BUILDING AND DEFENDING THE REPUTATION OF THE SECTOR s DELIVERING WWWSPOGOCOUK A CUSTOMER FACING DIGITAL SERVICE to make searching and finding physical activities as simple as OTHER CONSUMER FRIENDLY ONLINE SERVICES 4HE FACT IS TOGETHER WE can achieve more; join the FIA today visit us at LIW stand H465. SECTION: HEALTH & FITNESS GANTNER ELECTRONICS LTD Tel: www.gantner.com GANTNER Electronic is the leading European manufacturer of SMART Card system solutions. All GANTNER products ARE SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE GLOBAL leisure industry. The offered system solutions include access CONTROL AUTOMATED CHECK IN ELECTRONIC WARDROBE LOCKING systems, and cashless payment applications. GANTNER has proven to be amongst the most reliable on the market. High QUALITY GREAT DESIGN FLEXIBILITY AND SHORT PAYBACK TIMES ARE GANTNER’s strengths. GANTNER hardware and 3rd party How are your muscles performing? club management software create a fully integrated system SOLUTION WHICH IS EXTREMELY CONVENIENT AND SECURE "OOST Prove it! your profits and streamline your organisation with SMART Card Technology. Track changes in: SECTION: HEALTH & FITNESS Lean Mass Fat Mass Hydration & more Professional, reliable whole Body Composition Visit Bodystat on Stand H832 Bodystat Ltd. Tel: 01624 629 571. E mail: [email protected] WWW.BODYSTAT.COM Gantner offers SMART card system solutions 84 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 DALESAUNA...... An exceptionally good experience... DON CAMILLERI VICTORIA MACLEOD DUNCAN GIBB development director, spa manager, the old course centre manager, hermitage center parcs hotel, st andrews leisure centre, leicestershire “We need to choose “I could not have asked “Dalesaunas price was our suppliers extremely for two more professional, extremely competitive, and carefully, and we knowledgeable guys who the patience they showed needed to find a did above and beyond during the tendering company to work what was expected of process was commendable. with us, and to them to assist us with our They delivered the complete deliver high quality. pool shutdown, and who I project within time, working know will be an excellent closely with the main In the tendering resource to us in the contractor throughout. process, dalesauna future”. stood out, they showed When we set out on this professionalism and journey we had a vision for shared our values, they the health suite, and the stuck to their promise end product is a mirror of and delivered a high that vision”. quality product, on time and very importantly, on budget”. B E S P O K E S P A D E S I G N I N S T A L L U P G R A D E DALE SAUNA S E R V I C E & M A I N T A I N WELL BEING, WELL DESIGNED, WELL LOOKED AFTER 4 s & scan code to visit [email protected] www.dalesauna.co.uk EXHIBITOR NEWS GLADSTONE HEALTH & LEISURE Tel:+44 (0)1491 201010 www.gladstonemrm.com Gladstone Health & Leisure is the leading supplier of leisure management software in the UK, Ireland, and Australia, endorsed by leading health and fitness professionals and enterprise technology partners. Gladstone has been the chosen partner of leisure trusts, local authority sports facilities, international chains, universities and independent private clubs for over 30 years. Today, over 30,000 users rely on Gladstone membership, bookings, ePos, mobile and business intelligence applications every day. Two million of their members also benefit from Gladstone products across the globe, through on-site registration, web and mobile bookings, or self-service features. This extensive market experience means we are able to give omni? every customer access to the most advanced leisure management software available, backed up by a world-class support system. Whatever your size, choosing Gladstone as your software partner means you will benefit from a robust and scalable solution. At LIW you can see Join@Home to enable people to sign up for memberships without entering your facility, Learn2 for swim school administration, Contact Manager for giving your sales team a tool to convert leads into members and the iPhone app allowing your members to book on the move. Visit our stand at H210 to see SECTION: LEISURE FACILITIES www.omniticket.com HARLANDS GROUP Tel: +44 (0)1444 449157 www.harlandsgroup.co.uk Harlands Group is the UK’s largest Direct Debit and Membership Management provider. Our service includes fully managed collection, call centre, online sign up and debt recovery. Our Snap system introduced online sign up to the UK in 2005 and version 5 brings even more features. Our investment in technology means we have helped drive the low cost sector where we are providing services to all the leading budget health club providers. New in 2012 we are launching our range of cloud based support services to our clients including Sales Generator which will bring huge benefits to our customers. SECTION: HEALTH & FITNESS HIPPO LEISURE PRODUCTS Tel: +44 (0)1752 771740 www.hippoleisure.com Hippo will promote the versatility of their fantastic range of water play equipment at Leisure Industry Week. Come along and test Hippo’s toddler slide and sensory play panels, which enable a wide mix of ages Hippo equipment promotes play and abilities to be entertained. Replacing old tired play features with Hippo’s play products can create a play zone that can be expanded over time to promote family play and encourage water confidence. www.certikin.co.uk Increase kid appeal and regular visitors with Hippo’s vibrant [email protected] water features, tailored to suit most pool shapes, sizes and budgets. Please visit Hippo for the ultimate in water play fun. SECTION: PLAY & ATTRACTIONS 86 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 advertisement promotion Learn2 Swim achieves Mission Impossible usion launched Gladstone’s Learn2 Swim course Registered charity Fusion Lifestyle manages 36 pools across its management module as an F early adopter in January this estate of 52 public leisure facilities. The administration of its year, installing it at Hillingdon Sport and thousands of swimming classes each week may sound like Leisure Complex. The Learn2 Swim trial mission impossible, especially when you consider that equates to marked the start of a new three-year contract between Gladstone and Fusion well over a million swimming lessons every year, but according Lifestyle, which will take the partnership to to Fusion’s head of ICT, Gladstone Health and Leisure’s new more than 10 years. Learn2 Swim software will soon make light of those figures. The Learn2 Swim software, which has been endorsed by the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA), is designed to simplify the complicated and time-consuming swim lengthy queues at reception and pressure approved to move up a class or needs to school administration process, allowing for parents. “Learn2 Swim’s 50-week rolling pay for lessons, driving our engagement operators to register pupils on courses, programme will improve this signifi cantly,” and retention potential.” manage accreditation at the poolside and continues Carruthers. “Re-enrolment is The web-based system also carries a ease the movement of pupils between driven by when the child is ready to move ‘home portal’, allowing parents to access levels. It can also provide tailored reports up a class, not by pre-dated terms.” and review the progress of their child at on joiners, leavers, pupils changing classes Teachers use a portable, waterproof, their leisure, as well as re-enrolling their and class occupancy. touch-screen device to take registers, child online when an email trigger alerts Mike Carruthers, head of ICT at store notes and assess pupils at the that they are ready to move up a level. Fusion Lifestyle, says: “The trial of Learn2 poolside. Carruthers says the staff truly “The new software has been a real Swim was led by a couple of enthusiastic see the advantages: “The device increases success. Obviously as a completely members of the swim team and so far their time poolside and reduces the time new product it’s had its challenges and we’ve had very positive responses. spent on admin in the back offi ce. It offers issues, but the response from the team “The main benefi ts are: continuous reliable, up-to-date information so they at Gladstone was very positive. Learn2 assessment, which I believe will help us can easily track the progress of individual Swim will now take our swimming keep children swimming for longer, as they pupils and their classes as a whole, lesson programme to the next level,” can automatically enrol onto the next level; respond quickly to any parent queries, concludes Carruthers. time saving on administration, meaning our monitor attendance levels and see any Learn2 Swim will be introduced to a instructors can spend less time recording medical issues at a glance.” further 10–15 of Fusion Lifestyle’s pools attendance and attainment and more time The intelligent software promotes in time for the autumn term in September, improving lesson delivery and interacting movement between courses by fl agging up and will be rolled out to the remaining with their classes; and information for the children who are ready to progress and, sites in the new year. parents at no extra cost.” if necessary, can put them onto a waiting In line with many operators, Fusion’s list in line with the parent preferences, for previous approach to enrolment was days and lesson times, which can be saved term-based and, with tens of thousands of on the system. To fi nd out more about children on the swim school programme, Carruthers adds: “Learn2 Swim has the Learn2 Swim, call +44 there would be a rush every 10 weeks, added benefi t of data sharing and enables (0)1491 201010 or visit with parents required to re-enrol within a automated customer contact, emailing www.gladstonemrm.com relatively short booking window, creating or texting customers when a pupil is ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 87 EXHIBITOR NEWS INNOVATIVE LEISURE Tel: +44 (0)116 271 3095 www.innovativeleisure.co.uk Innovative Leisure will once again be present at LIW in 2012 and this years’ show is set to be the biggest yet for the leading supplier of high energy, adventure play attractions. A first for LIW, our Mobile Zip Line, recipient of a ‘Best new product’ award at IAAPA 2011 makes an appearance, and visitors to our stand will be able to try the latest in thrilling mobile attractions for themselves. For the second year running, you will be able to test yourself on one of our Sky Trail High Ropes Courses with this years course set to be even bigger. Our usual climbing attractions will also be on show as will our Water Wars range outdoors. Our full team will be on hand to talk to you about any of our products. You can find Innovative Leisure on stand A40 on the show floor and outside on stand A510. SECTION: PLAY & ATTRACTIONS JORDAN FITNESS Tel: +44 (0)1945 880257 www.jordanfi tness.co.uk For 25 years, Jordan Fitness have been at the forefront of design, manufacture and supply of quality commercial grade, functional fitness equipment, in the UK and internationally. Jordan Fitness also provides training through their comprehensive REPs accredited training programme. As part of their Results Based Training (RBT) programme, Jordan Fitness also offers a full facility design and planning service. Their in-house creative design team can provide 3D visuals in conjunction with advice from the experienced sales team. From inception to finance, installation and then on-going staff training, Jordan Fitness is able to offer a package that is unrivalled within the industry. Jordan Fitness will be showcasing See us at LEISURE INDUSTRY SHOW NEC Birmingham and demonstrating several new functional fitness products at 18-20 September 2012 STAND No F215 Leisure Industry Week (LIW) 2012 on Stand H650. For more information about Jordan Fitness, visit their website at www. jordanfitness.co.uk , call +44 (0)1945 880257, or email sales@ jordanfitness.co.uk LEISURE UNIFORMS & WORKWEAR SECTION: HEALTH & FITNESS Staff clothing for Health Clubs Sports & Leisure POLO SHIRTS LOGO INCLUDED YOUR LOGO FROM ONLY EMBROIDERED £6.00 FREE SET UP- FREE DELIVERY +VAT WHEN SPENDING OVER £300 +VAT Call NOW - Freephone 0800 756 0837 www.workwearandlogo.com Jordan Fitness will be demonstrating its new range at LIW 88 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 IT COACHES. IT MOTIVATES. IT ENTERTAINS. STAR TRAC COACH™ Nike + iPod STAR TRAC COACH™ Star Trac is proud to introduce the latest innovation in cardio fi tness – the Star Trac Coach™, a personalised treadmill workout led by a professional coach. Whether you’re a competitive runner or a daily walker, it helps you maximise your treadmill workout. Over 1 million possible workouts ensure a different workout every time. With the push of a few simple buttons, runners and walkers can create a treadmill workout with varying intensity, terrain and endurance levels sure to provide an effi cient, effective and encouraging workout. To further enhance the user experience, the Star Trac Coach™ allows users to select their own background music from their iPod®, a USB stick or the built-in soundtrack. This revolutionary technology is exclusively available on Star Trac’s E Series embedded screen treadmills. The Star Trac Coach™ takes the ordinary treadmill experience to a new level of engagement never seen before. Come and see us on Stand H255 at Leisure Industry Week, 18th- 20th September 2012 at the NEC, Birmingham. For more information contact Star Trac at +44 (0) 1494 688260 or [email protected] ©2012 Star Trac. All rights reserved. Star Trac, the Star Trac logo, Soft Trac, Dynamic Heart Rate Control are registered trademarks of Core Industries. Star Trac Coach is a trademark of Core Industries. iPod is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc. EXHIBITOR NEWS KEISER UK LTD. Tel: +44 (0)845 612 1102 www.keiseruk.com Keiser creates intelligent CV and resistance equipment. From Air, the innovative pneumatic resistance equipment designed to deliver maximum results with minimum impact, to the M3 Indoor Cycle, with user feedback courtesy of the onboard computer, Keiser inspires users to fulfil their exercise potential. $! "! ! From the Best Commercial Clubs !! " ! % to the best Professional Clubs % # ! Keiser can help you. Visit stand " $ H475 and ask us ‘Why Keiser?’ $ $# ! Keiser’s M3 Indoor Cycle SECTION: HEALTH & FITNESS is created to inspire $! KYLEMARK CORPORATEWEAR Tel: +44 (0)1292 618344 www.workwearandlogo.com Kylemark Corporatewear are a leading ! supplier of staff uniform and corporate ! " clothing to the Health and Leisure Industry in the UK. We work around your specific requirements with a can do attitude to provide a cost effective practical solution to your staff clothing ! " needs. We have invested in the best technology and production systems to give you the client a superior product and service TRAINING INTERNATIONAL delivered FAST. Call us now or visit our website. SECTION: LEISURE FACILITIES Kylemark supplies staff wear FUNDING OPTIONS AVAILABLE Whether you’re starting out in your career or looking to develop it further Premier Training has a course for you. Our industry leading qualifi cations are widely recognised and requested by employers and include a full portfolio of the latest functional training, massage and Level 4 courses. ENQUIRE TODAY AND LET PREMIER PUT YOU ON THE RIGHT ROAD TO A SUCCESSFUL CAREER Socialise: Call: 0845 1 90 90 90 SEE US Visit: premierglobal.co.uk IN ACTION * Terms and conditions apply. Please refer to our website. VISIT THE PREMIER TRAINING STAND H622 AT LIW & CLAIM YOUR SHOW EXCLUSIVE COURSE 15% DISCOUNT Exhibitor stands will feature live product demos 90 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Advanced Functionality with a Personal Touch Stay ahead of the game and offer your clients the very best in Acceleration Training™ with the new pro7™ from Power Plate. Featuring the latest in interactive touch-screen and Pro7 Flexible Leasing Options embedded proMOTION™ technology, the pro7 offers a FROM £360/MONTH* personalised, full-body workout at the touch of a button. With more than 1,000 exercise videos and 250 progressive full-body workouts, your clients can train independently and stay motivated regardless of their goal or level of ability. Power Plate pro7 – Acceleration Training has never been easier. For more information, visit us on stand H270 at LIW, call us on 020 7317 5010 or email [email protected] * Subject to status and credit approval ** For defi nitive advice in respect of the tax benefi ts of leasing you should speak with your accountant Company No. 05688772 | First Floor, 13 George Street, London, W1U 3QJ | +44 20 7317 5000 www.powerplate.com/uk EXHIBITOR NEWS LIFE FITNESS UK LTD Tel: +44 (0)1353 666017 www.lifefitness.co.uk Fitness trends come and go. That’s one of the things that make Redesign your this a great industry. For over forty years, Life Fitness has been at the forefront in meeting the product needs that match, and changing rooms with often lead, these trends. Our enduring commitment to helping people live healthier lives means we’re always looking at what’s next. With exerciser engagement at an all-time high, it is the right moment for Life Fitness Forward, our brand new products and experiences for the innovative and connected ways people exercise today. Visit us on stand H530 at LIW: experience the complete workout solution for small and large 3D Design groups, SYNRGY360™; try our revolutionary new group exercise bike, LifeCycle GX™; discover world-famous Rendering landscapes with Lifescape™; and see Hammer Strength HD Elite™ in action – it’s our most durable rack line yet. We are Lockers changing where the industry and your business is going. Locking Systems SECTION: HEALTH & FITNESS Cubicles MATRIX FITNESS Washrooms Tel: +44 (0)1782 644900 www.matrixfitness.co.uk 2012 is all about heroes on the Matrix Fitness stand at LIW, as we return to the event with our largest showcase of ‘hero’ products to date, spread over two adjacent stands – H370 and H370A. Whether you’re a valued Matrix customer, or yet to experience the benefits of our award-winning products, we’re sure you’ll find something to interest, inspire and wow you; from the latest developments in functional fitness via the XCube and Vicore product ranges, to a live MyRide+ class experience. Our guests will also have the opportunity to try innovative products including the ClimbMill – a revolution in stair-climbing technology – and the Ascent Trainer®, purposely designed to reflect the optimal natural feel/range of movement, along with our stunningly redesigned elliptical trainers. Alternatively, why not have a chat with the team about our added-value services, including Matrix service assurance, facility design, finance solutions and product training support, or drop into our Heroes Lounge for a chance to meet one of our special guests, including Matrix Ambassador and Olympic gold medallist, Dani King. Call now to arrange a specific time to Safe Space Lockers Ltd meet, or come along to see us on the day - Stands H370 & H370A. SECTION: Please call 0870 990 7989 HEALTH & FITNESS for more details E: [email protected] www.safespacelockers.co.uk Matrix is offering visitors the chance to try out its range of innovative products at LIW 92 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Helping you to... EVALUATE | ENHANCE | ENGAGE Functional Fitness. designed by us... inspired by you Our Results Based Training system is the most comprehensive service for those wishing to implement new functional training areas into their facilities. We can guide you through the three To fi nd out more key stages: Evaluate - selecting the type of area you need. Enhance - helping you choose which visit us at stand H650 equipment, fl ooring and designs will look best. Engage - providing supportive marketing materials to get your customers excited about the changes! We also off er a comprehensive education programme, available for both Instructor and Functional Group Training courses - so your team can maximize the use of the new functional equipment to its full potential. www.jordanfi tness.co.uk | +44 (0)1945 880257 Holly’s S L E I IC CE V OF AD TAKE IT FROM HOLLY MINDBODYONLINE.COM/HOLLY Owner, Pink Iron MINDBODY Client Since 2008 With MINDBODY software, Holly has the time to give her clients the personal attention they deserve. We’re devoted to her success, so she can be devoted to theirs. SOFTWARE FOR YOUR GYM 888.212.0024 | MINDBODYONLINE.COM/HOLLY EXHIBITOR NEWS MINDBODY BUSINESS SOFTWARE Health & Leisure Tel: +44 (0)207 871 2400 www.mindbodyonline.com MINDBODY software is trusted by thousands of clients in over 80 countries to manage and grow their businesses. Trainers, small fitness centres, and large franchises alike use MINDBODY to simplify operations, boost revenue and focus on their customers. Cloud-based software allows you to run your fitness centre from anywhere, helping you surpass the competition. MINDBODY offers the fitness Mindbody software for fitness centres industry the most technologically advanced business management solutions, including: s #OMPREHENSIVE CUSTOMER ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT s 7EB BASED SCHEDULING AND ONLINE PAYMENTS s -ONTHLY MEMBERSHIPS AND !UTO0AYS s )NTEGRATED RETAIL POINT OF SALE ONLINE STORE AND GIFT CARDS s !UTOMATED EMAIL 3-3 MESSAGING AND POP UP ALERTS s 0OWERFUL SALES MARKETING AND ANALYSIS REPORTING !S THE leading online business management software for service professionals around the world, MINDBODY leverages technology to make your services more personalized and accessible to your customers—and ultimately, to strengthen YOUR FITNESS BUSINESS 3CHEDULE A GUIDED TOUR TODAY www.mindbodyonline.com/fit SECTION: HEALTH & FITNESS Join@home MERRITHEW HEALTH & FITNESS™ Tel: +44 (0)800 328 5676 www.merrithew.com 2 Merrithew Health & Fitness™ is proud to celebrate almost 25 Learn2 years in the health and fitness industry. The company offers a L wide array of innovative, multi-disciplinary fitness brands to a VARIETY OF AUDIENCES INCLUDING 34/44 0),!4%3¤ :%.s'! Contact Manager AND #/2% ALL OF WHICH ARE RECOGNIZED AS 4HE 0ROFESSIONALS #HOICE -(& HAS THE WORLDS LARGEST COLLECTION OF FITNESS DVDs; with the addition of 50 new DVD titles, MH&F continues to help fitness professionals develop their skills for a variety of Mobile clients. Today there are over 33,000 students trained in the 34/44 0),!4%3 METHOD ALONE WITH OVER 4RAINING #ENTERS worldwide. MH&F continues to set the standard for premium equipment and education in the industry. SECTION: HEALTH & FITNESS TAKING SELF NOUVEAU SOLUTIONS LTD Tel: +44 (0)118 969 9290 www.nslcrm.com / nsl-crm-4-leisure SERVICE TO A !T THE ,)7 THIS YEAR WE ARE EXCITED TO LAUNCH THE LATEST VERSION OF OUR INTEGRATED BOOKING PAYMENT AND MEMBERSHIP ,EISURE #ENTRE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM .3, #2- FOR ,EISURE 4HE WHOLE NEW SYSTEMS GRAPHICAL BOOKING SYSTEM CAN HANDLE FULL MEMBERSHIP structure, including discounts, joint/family membership and PRO RATA 3UBSCRIPTION &EES "ASED AROUND -ICROSOFT $YNAMICS LEVEL... STAND NUMBER H210 CRM (Customer Relationship Management), promotes better proactive interaction with your members and enables you to FULLY MANAGE AND MARKET YOUR FACILITY TO EXISTING MEMBERS AND help to attract new ones. Built-in real-time analysis of on-site members allows you to measure against different entities. SECTION: LEISURE FACILITIES www.gladstonemrm.com ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 01491 201010 EXHIBITOR NEWS OCTANE FITNESS UK LTD Tel: +44 (0)7799 475366 www.octanefi tness.com Octane Fitness is a premium, x-trainer only supplier with a difference. At LIW we will launch the brand new Octane Fitness ‘Lateral’ – an elliptical that has adjustable width lateral movement. We will also launch the IFI Stage 2 accredited seated x-trainer, the Octane Fitness xR6000IFI. This machine is unique, very different to anything in your gym and ideal for de-conditioned and the absolute fittest users. No cardio product offers the variety of workout of the seated xR6000. Try it for yourself and you will see why… The Pro 3700IFI model was the first elliptical x-trainer to receive IFI Stage 2 accreditation, making it ideal for beginners and IFI users. Yet the Pro 3700 and adjustable stride Pro 4700 also offers greater Visitors to LIW can try out new products variety and challenge to personal trainers, with ‘Arm Blaster’ offering a serious upper body challenge while the Glute Kicker programme does OMNITICKET NETWORK LTD likewise for lower Tel: +44 (0)1782 714300 body. www.omniticket.com SECTION: OmniTicket Network is a system developer, integrator and HEALTH & consultant specialising in comprehensive turnkey solutions for FITNESS ticketing, access control, reservations, pre-sales, internet sales, retail point of sale and inventory control operations. With a comprehensive, integrated approach to venue management, OmniTicket Network has been the industry leader and Octane’s innovator since 1986. OmniTicket Network is the solution of Lateral will choice for venues of all sizes with a proven track record in the be on show most well known and demanding venues. at LIW SECTION: PLAY & ATTRACTIONS Visit the Direct Debit experts at LIW stand H130 t Complete membership management from the leisure industry leaders t Online sign up specialists t New Cloud Services including EXPERTS IN Client login V2, Check In, E marketing SOLUTIONS and Sales Generator FOR LOW COST OR BUDGET t Integrated club management software CLUBS NOBODY DOES IT BETTER... [email protected] 01444 449 157 www.harlandsgroup.co.uk 96 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Say Goodbye to Keys... KitLock for lockers in gyms, health clubs and spas. Lost another locker key? Make the switch to digital cabinet locks. KitLock provides simple keypad access without the hassle of keys, tokens or coins - Go Keyless! Visit us at LIW: stand number F100 KitLock is a Codelocks Ltd brand. 01635 239645 [email protected] www.kitlock.com EXHIBITOR NEWS DESIGNED FOR THE WAY YOU MOVE As an extension to our already successful HALO® Performance range introduced in 2010, Multirig® is backed by over 25 years of design knowhow, designed as a robust stable, flexible, scalable platform no matter payasugym offers a gym booking network what your training methodology and goals. Multirig® may easily be configured to meet your specific space PAYASUGYM.COM and training needs and to accommodate a wide variety Tel: +44 (0)208 123 0149 of popular small equipment creating a focal point in www.payasugym.com/sales payasUgym.com is a lead generation and marketing service for your gym space. gyms and health clubs that want to increase their membership base, drive secondary spend and attract genuinely new Suitable for small or large group/team training. Bolt customers into their clubs. There are no costs to participate, together construction using a standard range of sub we only work with clubs that genuinely want to be involved assemblies, you create your own Multirig. Available in and we will support you at every stage. For customers, payasUgym.com represents a new way to get involved in health a choice of colours and finishes. and fitness and provides them with an independent platform to share their gym experiences. We have already catered for over 10 million customer gym searches in the 18 months since launch, which makes payasUgym.com the largest gym booking network in the world. By adding your club to the payasUgym. com network you will be in great company with some of the top UK and European operators already involved as well as dozens of top quality corporate partners. SECTION: HEALTH & FITNESS PELLIKAAN CONSTRUCTION LTD Tel: +44 (0)208 392 93 55 www.pellikaan.com Over 900 leisure centres with more then 500 swimming pools in Europe: an impressive portfolio. Pellikaan specialises in designing and constructing sports facilities and commercial buildings including schools, offices and hotels. The company has the experience and expertise to design, coordinate, and complete every aspect of construction projects. Pellikaan can be involved from the very first design stage, or work with the Tel: 01455 890100 Fax: 01455 890009 client’s architect to fine tune the drawings and carry out the construction works. The vast know-how and experience have Web: led to all UK projects being handed over on time and on www.leisurelinesgb.co.uk budget. Visit Pellikaan on stand F180. www.powerbag.com SECTION: LEISURE FACILITIES www.leisurelinesperformance.com Email (sales): [email protected] Leisure Lines GB Ltd, Stand H5 Units 1-2 Jacknell Road, Dodwells Ind Estate, Hinckley, Leicestershire UK LE10 3BS Pellikaan designs and constructs sports and commercial sites 98 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 advertisement promotion POMMEL TORSO THE POMMEL TORSO IS A REVOLUTIONARY EXERCISE TOOL DESIGNED TO OFFER THE USER A MULTITUDE OF BENEFITS. he machine uses a circular movement to engage all of the core muscles, T strengthening this area, as well as elevating heart rate to provide cardiovascular benefits. The Pommel Torso was developed by back surgeon Dr. Yasser Nadim after watching athletes competing on the pommel horse at the Olympic Games. He observed how the rotational movement worked the muscles of the torso like no other and set about designing a machine The Pommel Torso that would allow users to engage their would slot neatly core in the same way, without having to into any gym set-up master the pommel horse. Dr. Nadim was driven by his passion to see people research showed that using the machine exercising safely and correctly, having for an average of 15 minutes, three treated many patients who had hurt their times a week for six weeks resulted in a back through exercise, often due to bad significant reduction in body fat. technique or poor core strength. Recently, the Pommel Torso has been The Pommel Torso is unique; no trialled by The Chelsea Club, an Elite other machine targets all the muscles of London health club, located within the the core and lower back. The machine Stamford Bridge Stadium complex. The is designed to be more effective than machine has received rave reviews from standard abdominal exercises, providing members who report a lower rate of a more beneficial and well-rounded perceived level of exertion, despite still workout. While standard exercises getting a great core workout. predominantly target the rectus Darren Garrett, the club’s fitness abdominis muscles, Pommel Torso targets manager, said: ‘This could make a real all of the muscles of the core, lower and impact when it hits the market. It gives upper back in a functional manner. members an effective way to condition their Research undertaken at the University core safe in the knowledge that they are of Central Lancashire showed that the performing the exercise correctly and not Pommel Torso resulted in greater overall putting their back at risk. Installation is so easy abdominal and back muscle activity than it could slot neatly into nearly any gym set up.’ standard core exercises. As a result, the Pommel Torso allows users to get a more effective core workout in a For more information about Pommel shorter space of time. Using the Pommel Torso see www.pommeltorso.co.uk Pommel Torso works the torso muscles more Torso also elevates heart rate, therefore or call 0203 582 3822 effectively than conventional ab exercises providing additional cardio benefits. The ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 99 EXHIBITOR NEWS PHYSICAL COMPANY Tel: +44 (0)1494 769 222 www.physicalcompany.co.uk Physical Company launch their EX:CEL training platform at this year’s LIW. The platform bridges the gap between fitness equipment and exercise programming by way of an interactive online training zone. It’s been designed by industry experts to take the stress out of keeping trainers up to date with the latest REPS accredited group exercise trends. Equipment featured during the first phase will be BOSU, Human Trainer, freeFORM and Kettlebells. PowerPlate International Acceleration Training classes SECTION: HEALTH & FITNESS POWER PLATE INTERNATIONAL Tel: +44 (0)208 959 3656 www.powerplate.com/uk Visit Power Plate International on Stand H270 to find out about the latest in Power Plate® technology, exercise classes and lease plans. With our range of 15-minute Power Plate taster sessions running throughout LIW, we’ll show you the many ways to integrate Acceleration Training™ into your class timetable. From Tri Fit to Post-Natal core – there’s something to inspire everyone. Do you want to upgrade your machine, offer the latest technology to your clients, without a substantial financial outlay? Take advantage of Power Lease – allowing you to spread the cost over a three-year period without paying any interest or hidden extras. Visit our stand for more details. Don’t forget we’re exclusively launching the pro7™ machine at LIW. This Physical Company innovative new model comes with integrated video coaching and launches its EX CEL embedded proMOTION™ technology – promising to take your training platform Power Plate workout to a whole new level. online training zone SECTION: HEALTH & FITNESS FUNCTIONAL TRAINING with FREEDOM CLIMBER Visit us at LIW Stand H 630 100 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Calling all independent operators... The Fitness Industry Independent Operators This year’s programme will be delivered by Unite forum will be returning to Leisure Industry fellow independent operators who will share Week (LIW) 2012 bringing you expert advice and their experiences, mistakes, lessons and ideas new ideas to make your club or gym stand out with you. from the competition. Boost your knowledge with this fantastic FREE programme: Day 1 - Wednesday 19 September 2012 Day 2 - Thursday 20 September 2012 14:00-14:40 10:30-11:30 Practical ideas that work for the UK Independent Operator The great debate… Strengths/Weakness/Opportunities/ Sometimes you can go to a restaurant and order what you Threats of being an Independent Operator in today’s climate want, or pick and choose from a whole smorgus board of ideas. The UK is undergoing a paradigm shift on how health clubs must This session is based on the latter, with a panel of Independent adapt to survive in today’s evolving market. This session will be Operators with years of experience of mistakes, successes, an open forum `discussion’ about the pros and cons of being an lessons and ideas that are easy to implement for any club owner Independent Operator in today’s market with insights into the in the UK. Clubs will take away quick-win ideas that they will future of the industry and what opportunities are out there. This produce quick-win results! is a not-to-be-missed `recovery’ session after the previous night’s Panel of Independent Operators festivities! Panel of Independent Operators 15:00-15:40 Making money for your club from the ‘other stuff’ (not actual memberships) In today’s market of diminishing returns due to increased competition and physical activity alternatives, clubs have to Plus, celebrate your hard work maximise the revenue that they generate from non-membership money. This session is a panel of expert club owners who have at the IOU Industry party* been able to offer innovative secondary spend ideas that not only generate more money but also provide a better service to their (Wed 19 September) get your party ticket and book existing membership base. your IOU Forum place at www.liw.co.uk/iouforum Panel of Independent Operators 16:00-16:40 Easy ways to use the internet to make more money for your independent club Whether it’s Twitter, Linkedin, Facebook, Foursquare or many other social media avenues, there is no doubt that the internet is here to stay. Due to the internet, a small Independent Operator can `compete’ with the big boys without leaving their reception. This session is a panel of club owners who have successfully achieved just that… and most importantly, you don’t have to follow their twitter account to learn those secrets. Simply turn up with an open mind! Panel of Independent Operators FREE tickets for IOU & FIA members Organised by: Sponsored by: Supported by: *The IOU industry party is FREE for all IOU and FIA members with a discounted price for non IOU member Independent Operators. Request your free ticket or book a ticket at www.liw.co.uk/iouforum Book your FREE place on the Fitness Industry IOU Forum and entry to LIW 2012 at www.liw.co.uk/iouforum EXHIBITOR NEWS POOLPOD PRODUCTS from decor that creates the right atmosphere to generating Tel:+44 (0)141 237 2127 revenue from your health and fitness facility all from a partner www.poolpodproducts.com WITH A STRONG TRACK RECORD OF PROGRESSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL Poolpod is a new product set to provide a lasting legacy of stewardship. Visit us on stand H232 to understand how the London 2012 Olympic Games. The award winning design CREATING OPTIMUM USER EXPERIENCE IS AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING provides access to the pool for less mobile people and we do. Precor is part of the Amer Sports Corporation, one of promotes new rehabilitation and aqua-therapy techniques. THE WORLDS LEADING SPORTS EQUIPMENT COMPANIES Legacy begins now with swimmers in East London, followed SECTION: HEALTH & FITNESS by pilot installations across the UK by the Amateur Swimming Association. Visit our stand to find out more and follow on its journey to a pool near you. PREMIER TRAINING INTERNATIONAL SECTION: POOL & SPA Tel: +44 (0)845 1909090 www.premierglobal.co.uk Premier Training International is a leading health and fitness PRECOR industry training provider. Premier has built a first class Tel: +44 (0)1276 404900 reputation in delivering quality www.precor.co.uk vocational education since 1992 For nearly three decades Precor have designed and built and has some of the strongest premium fitness equipment, which has been chosen by sports scientists and industry health clubs, hotels, spas, universities and individuals all EXPERTS HELPING SHAPE over the world. syllabuses and training delivery. s 4HE NEW !DAPTIVE -OTION 4RAINER WITH /PEN 3TRIDE n HAS With over 150 staff across 30 the highest and longest stride pattern in the industry. national training venues, s 0REVA OUR NETWORKED FITNESS SOLUTION THAT CONNECTS PEOPLE 0REMIER HAS TRAINED IN EXCESS to their fitness journey whilst travelling. of 30,000 students to date, and s 0RECOR ARE ALSO PLEASED TO LAUNCH THE NEW $ISCOVERY is committed to raising Strength Line which is a premium solution for all users. standards throughout the s 4HE INDUSTRYS MOST COMPREHENSIVE GLOBAL NETWORK OF health and fitness industry. certified service personnel. SECTION: Premier has more than s %XPERIENCED ACCOUNT MANAGERS WHOSE KNOWLEDGE RANGES HEALTH & FITNESS 150 staff in 30 sites With Pellikaan you create a perfect environment for recreation, education and work For more inspirationinspiration visit visit us at LIW stand F180 www.pellikaan.co.uk ofor callcall usus on on 0208 0208 392 392 93 93 55 55 102 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 SEE US AT LIW, BIRMINGHAM, UK BOOTHS A510 & A40 AND EAS, BERLIN, GERMANY NEW THRILLING BOOTH 1707 FAMILY ATTRACTIONS ● Sky Trail® is suitable for anyone over 1.0m ● Throughputs up to 500 an hour ● Unique track system – people can overtake ● New Silent Pucks – minimise operating noise ● Can be themed to suit your requirements Planters Garden Centre, Tamworth, UK ● Approved under ADIPS ● Over 600 supplied worldwide Sommerland Sjaelland, Denmark Edinburgh Zoo, UK Call now for further details: +44 (0) 116 271 3095 Email: [email protected] www.innovativeleisure.co.uk Organised by: liw.co.uk RegisterRegister for FREE for FREEentry entr y i>Ì ÊEÊÌiÃÃÊ>ÌÊ iÃÕÀiÊ`ÕÃÌÀÞÊ7iiÊ 7®Ê«ÀÛ`iÃÊÌ iÊ«iÀviVÌÊ vÀÕÊvÀÊwÌiÃÃÊ«ÀviÃÃ>ÃÊÌÊ`ÊLÕÃiÃÃÊÜÌ Êi>`}ÊÃÕ««iÀÃÊ>`Ê ii«ÊÊÌ«ÊvÊ`ÕÃÌÀÞÊÌÀi`ð Join us at LIW 2012 and: UÊÊÊSee the latest training and fitness methods in the PTA Global Functional Training Zone and the Les Mills Group Exercise Arena UÊÊÊEnjoy live demos, competitions and star appearances on the LIW Live stage UÊÊÊKeep on-trend with the CPD accredited REPs National Convention, IOU Forum, FIA keynote and much more UÊÊÊTest and compare the most innovative products and services to hit the market Îää³Ê Ý LÌÀÃÊUÊ ÛiÊ`ià ÊUÊ£xäÊ ÕÀÃÊvÊi`ÕV>Ì y(saving (saving £30) £30) at liw.co.uk at liw.co.uk EXHIBITOR NEWS PTA GLOBAL the management of gym members for enhanced retention Tel: +44 (0)20 8586 0101 s ! NEW CIRCUIT RANGE A SAFE PRACTICAL AND COMFORTABLE HEALTHY www.ptaglobal.co.uk strength training activity PTA Global takes your PTs and turns them into world-class s ! NEW PLATE LOADED RANGE PACKED WITH FEATURES FOR fitness leaders. We go beyond the training basics to give PTs exceptional strength training the skills to gain, train and retain more clients – and increase s .EW EYE CATCHING DUMBBELLS revenue for your business. With modules on business and barbells acumen, marketing and client management, our courses are s 0LUS TALK TO 0ULSE ABOUT created by 26 of the world’s leading educators, including Paul our latest business and Chek and Rodney Corn. We give your team the motivation leisure support and tools to enrich your clients’ experience and inspire your solutions and lots, PTs to be instrumental in the acquisition and retention of lots more. Let clients, as well as the marketing of your business. Visit our Pulse inspire you stand at LIW to see how PTA Global can work with your and your business and enter our prize draw to win a free PTA Global members with the masterclass for your PT staff. Enrol your staff with PTA latest fitness Global and watch your business boom. products and leisure SECTION: HEALTH & FITNESS solutions the industry has to offer. SECTION: HEALTH & FITNESS PULSE Tel: +44 (0)1260 294610 www.pulsefitness.com Pulse are delighted to once again be showcasing and demonstrating our latest innovations at LIW and we invite you to come and see, touch and trial on stand H360. New for s !N INNOVATIVE AND UNIQUE CARDIOVASCULAR MACHINE THAT offers powerful aerobic and toning qualities simultaneously Pulse will be s 2ETENTION -AGNET FOR 3MART#ENTRE A SIMPLE SOPHISTICATED demonstrating its technology module that efficiently and effectively improves new range at LIW The Mindful Movement We believe that effective and responsible exercise is the foundation to a better lifestyle. We offer club owners the opportunity to expose members to new and exciting forms of mindful exercise that deliver profound results, while enhancing the skills and career options for fi tness instructors. merrithew.co.uk 4072 ™/® Trademark or registered trademark of Merrithew Corporation, used under license. All rights reserved. 106 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 EXHIBITOR NEWS Get support to reduce your energy costs Ever increasing energy costs are having a negative impact on profit margins of leisure and fitness clubs across the UK. An On-Site Utility Solution from EuroSite Power offers guaranteed and immediate energy cost savings. No capital expenditure is required helping you to increase your profit margins instantly. CONTACT US TODAY to find out more and set up a free site assessment to start your energy cost savings phone: 0844 693 2848 or email: [email protected] POWER TO PROFIT www.eurositepower.co.uk RECREATEX, SOFTWARE FOR THE LEISURE INDUSTRY " ) Visit us at LIW, !"" " # " $ %&' ( " ) Contact: Pear Tree Cottage, The Green Barlaston, ST12 9 AF Tel: +44 20 36273442 www.syxautomations.co.uk ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 107 EXHIBITOR NEWS RESPOL FLOORING SOLUTIONS Tel: +44 (0)1952 740400 www.respol.co.uk For over thirty years, Respol have provided innovative flooring solutions, developed and manufactured in-house and installed by highly skilled and fully trained personnel, guaranteed to perform to highest standards providing years of cost-effective service. Indoor and outdoor flooring for sports halls, leisure facilities, athletic tracks, acoustic and comfort flooring, rubber safety play areas and resin carpet gravel walkways. A complete nationwide service from preparation to installation with single source uncomplicated warranties, free-of-charge no obligation survey and recommenda- tions plus a vast range of finishes and colours to choose from, including the complete BS4800, RAL and Pantone systems. SECTION: LEISURE FACILITIES REVOLUTIONARY PRODUCTS FREEDOM CLIMBER Tel: +44 (0)1483 559785 www.freedomclimber.co.uk Freedom Climber the revolutionary rotating climbing wall trainer system are building on their success in supplying to clubs for use in Safe Space 3D video fly-through will be on display functional training zones, with the addition of mounting points for elastic stretch bands and suspension exercise bands. Being wall SAFE SPACE LOCKERS mounted to minimise on required floor space, these developments Tel: +44 (0)7557 365669 offer a greater variety of functional exercises that can be performed www.safespacelockers.co.uk individually or in circuit classes. Freedom Climber now produce Sales Director, Daniel Jones said “We are renowned for the functional training wall panels and traverse climbing walls to expand quality of our lockers, washrooms, cubicles, padlocks, service and the design possibilities to suit the clients requirements. These systems account management. Now with the added 3D video fly-through, are also perfect for leisure and activity centres and schools. we’re really excited about showcasing our range at LIW”. SECTION: HEALTH & FITNESS SECTION: HEALTH & FITNESS Visit us at the LIW Show stand H65 And now for something completely different... An integrated booking, payment and membership management solution for the Leisure Industry Download Brochure here Tel 0845 055 6066 Go to www.nslcrm.com/nsl-crm-4-leisure 108 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 INCREASE SECONDARY SPEND! ATTRACT NEW MEMBERS! VISIT STAND H680 AT LIW to find out how Better Belly can attract new members to your club! [email protected] www.betterbelly.co.uk www.betterbelly.co.uk EXHIBITOR NEWS TECHNOGYM UK Tel: +44 (0)1344 300236 www.technogym.com Technogym are delighted to announce the UK launch of mywellness cloud at LIW this year. mywellness cloud is an online platform consisting of a suite of business applications designed by Technogym, to help you communicate with your members; understanding their needs and motivations to deliver a better service. mywellness cloud is accessible to your members everywhere, including a smartphone app for motivational challenges and to track training and progress, keeping members enthusiastic and loyal to your facility. The mywellness end user app can be downloaded from the app store now. Visit our stand H381 for a demonstration of how mywellness cloud could benefit your facility. Technogym will also be running a dedicated seminar programme with leading industry speakers in suites 28 and 31&32 located in the main atrium, adjacent to hall 20. Find out more and book your place by visiting www.technogym.com/liw2012 SECTION: HEALTH & FITNESS WABOU SPORTS EQUIPMENT LTD Tel: +44 (0)7855 394033 www.pommeltorso.co.uk The Pommel Torso was designed by a leading back surgeon to target all the muscles of the core and lower back in a unique fashion. While standard exercises predominantly target the rectus abdominis muscles, Pommel Torso uses a rotational Star Trac’s innovations have led to a number of patents movement to recruit all of the muscles of the core, lower and upper back in a phasic motion. Research undertaken at the STAR TRAC UK LTD University of Central Lancashire has shown the Pommel Torso Tel: +44 (0)1494 688260 to elicit greater levels of muscle activity than conventional core www.startrac.com and abdominal exercises. In addition, using the Pommel Torso At Star Trac innovation has always pushed us but now there’s elevates heart rate therefore providing additional cardio even more driving us. From the very beginning, we’ve been benefits. The UCLAN showed that using the machine for 10 driven by innovation and doing things differently. Our first minutes, three times a week for six weeks resulted in a treadmill was the result of us looking at existing technology significant reduction in body fat. The machine has proved and seeing a better way. Every step since then has been popular with users who report getting a great core workout, yet toward finding solutions to people’s needs and problems, at a lower perceived level of exertion than other core exercises. instead of just another product. The result has been more SECTION: HEALTH & FITNESS than a dozen unique patents and many of our innovations becoming industry standards. Since 2000, we’ve utilised a design platform, a result from a past relationship with BMW XTRAVAGANZA Group Designworks USA. This relationship helped us elevate Tel:+44 (0)1989 730738 not only the function of our designs, but also their style. You www.xtravaganza.uk.com could say that we’ve never taken the easy, cheap or expected Xtravaganza is the weight loss solution designed as a bolt on road when designing a new product. Come and visit us at LIW business for the health and fitness industry. So far Xtravaganza and see for yourself. has helped more than 150,000 people lose weight. Usually SECTION: HEALTH & FITNESS customers can succeed in losing weight but rarely keep it off. This is because neither the customers mind set nor fundamental lifestyles are changed. Xtravaganza works on both body and SYX AUTOMATIONS LTD. mind providing customer long lasting success. Profitability and Tel: +44 (0)203 627 3442 member retention can be substantially boosted. www.syxautomations.co.uk SECTION: HEALTH & FITNESS As the market leader in Northern Europe, Syx Automations is focused on delivering innovative high end solutions to the leisure industry. With over 800 active clients and more than 25 years’ experience we create lasting partnerships you can rely on. Whether through our state of the art self-service kiosks, integrated Direct Debit & BACS processing, Gift Aid, Assigned Seating, Internet sales, CRM or Package Wizard, Syx Automations is providing the market with cost saving, integrated products that will help improve your business operations and enhance your customer experience. Looking for a solution that makes a difference? Visit us today. SECTION: LEISURE FACILITIES Xtravaganza weight loss solution for the long term 110 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 EXHIBITOR NEWS See us on F200 at Leisure Industry Week! Seamless flooring solutions for Leisure & Sports applications t Indoor sports and leisure halls t Accoustic and comfort flooring t Outdoor sports and leisure facilities t Rubber safety flooring for children’s play areas t Athletics tracks and sports courts t Resin carpet gravel walkways Call 01952 740400 or visit us online at www.respol.co.uk SPLASH IT TIP IT SPRAY IT SQUIRT IT 9 bring life to your pool 9 replace old water features 9 create revenue through play 9 latest interactive water technology 9 designs to suit all pool types Hippo Leisure… Revitalise, Rejuvenate, Reinvent Tel: +44 (0) 1752 771740 E: [email protected] W: www.hippoleisure.com ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 111 EXHIBITOR NEWS NDJGE6GIC:G Available >CAD8@>C< in print & online HNHI:BH;DG AD8@:GH # -# $-$)()!-# &-#&. 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',+ +!(/+ ' ' ,/(*$"' ())(*,-'"," + POWERED BY " ! fi tness-kit.net E`cWhB[_ikh[KA $#(( The search engine for fi tnessbuyers Bgh#7ZkH]VgeZ &)#'( %'-+(#/-#(&- (&'-.,&)&%'#$*) E]dcZ/ )) % &,',-)%*&( ! %,! %- ' & ', ' (($ "+ ."%% WZk5d_bVgaZ^hjgZj`#Xdb ,( )-* !+ , 1 ) * ()0 ' %% (', ', /"%% Brought to you by ."%% ('%"' , 000# &-# &. # ( ))% )' Health Club management magazine 112 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012 LEISURE DIRECTORY BE SEEN BY OVER 26,000 ACTIVE BUYERS EACH ISSUE ARCHITECTS CASH HANDLING DESIGN AND BUILD COUNT QUICKER WITH CUMMINS-ALLISON Coin sorters and note counters 0800 0186 484 www.cumminsallison.co.uk AV/SOUND PRODUCTS CONSULTANCY FITNESS EQUIPMENT LEISURE BUSINESS CONSULTANCY (since 1988) & Leisurexecutives Ltd. (senior interim placements) INTERACTIVE WATER ¬ÊStrategies ¬ÊFacilities ¬ÊFunding PLAY EQUIPMENT ¬ÊServices Reviews ¬ÊCatering SPORT ARTS HERITAGE COMMUNITY EDUCATION [email protected] 07976 259152 www.rqa.com Interactive Play COIN OPERATED VENDING To book your advert Flume Slides call the sales team on Safety Solutions Plant Equipment WEIGHING +44 (0)1462 431385 and Maintenance Specialist Services MACHINES FINANCE Seamless Coatings Generate Hippo Leisure Products Ltd, Unit 18, Estover secondary Get your business Road, Estover, Plymouth PL6 7PY Tel: + 44 (0) 1752 771740 spend with no E: [email protected] capital outlay into shape with W: www.hippoleisure.com equipment finance from just 3.1% LIGHTING UÊ Free Installation UÊ Profi t sharing scheme UÊ No maintenance costs We provide a wide range of weighing machines to leisure centres, swimming pools and gyms across the UK. We provide turnkey finance solutions for gym equipment, lockers, furniture, air-con etc for all gyms - including new starts. TO CASH-IN CALL: Call us on 0844 800 88 25 and funds could To book your advert be available within 48-hours. call the sales team on Northern number (Currently approving 98% of applications!) 0161 7943206 +44 (0)1462 431385 Southern number 01634 296 234 [email protected] Leisure Vend Operating Ltd www.portmanassetfinance.co.uk www.leisurevend.co.uk ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2011 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 113 Visit the Leisure Management directory online at www.leisuremanagement.co.uk TO BOOK YOUR SPACE CALL THE SALES TEAM ON +44 (0)1462 431385 LOCKERS / CHANGING ROOMS SPORTS FLOORING G>9<:L6N;JGC>IJG: 8=6C<>C<HDAJI>DCHIDHJ>I:K:GN7J9<:I High performance flooring solutions for ALL indoor sport Call +44 (0)1926 622600 email: [email protected] www.gerflor.co.uk Fully compliant with EN14904 SPORTS / TEMPORARY / NON- TRADITIONAL STRUCTURES To book your advert IZa/%-,%)'%,-&- call the sales team on Temporary buildings :bV^a/hVaZh5g^Y\ZlVn[b#Xdb lll#g^Y\ZlVn[b#Xdb +44 (0)1462 431385 MEMBERSHIP AND BOOKINGS SOLUTIONS www.neptunus.co.uk UNIFORMS AND CORPORATE WORKWEAR !" #$%" "$ ` ` !" #"#$ % & To book your advert call the sales team on WEB DESIGN & MARKETING +44 (0)1462 431385 #)'(&-! # "& ( # # ' #' &* ' ( "$& ( # - &'. ,% & # ! ')& " '() $+ !!+$& + ( -$)($& ( '%$ %& #( #+ '$!)( $#'($%$+ &-$)&"& ( # Web design Image retouching Email marketing Illustration leisure media Contract publishing Advertising design Graphic design Direct mail Over 6,000 health clubs Digital turning pages Print choose Club Solutions from Fiserv. LET US QUOTE YOU !! "' $# Connect with us at +44 (0) 845 013 1000 or To subscribe to Leisure Management log on to www.leisuresubs.com email: [email protected] tel +44 1462 471930 fax +44 1462 433909. Annual subscription rates are UK £38, Europe £49 rest of visit www.clubs. serv.com world £69, students UK £19. 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. Periodicals postage paid @ Manchester, PA POSTMASTER. Send US address changes to Leisure Management, c/o PO Box 437, Emigsville, PA 17318-0437 USA. The views expressed in print are those of the author and do not necessarily represent 0800 0317 009 those of the publisher The Leisure Media 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 copyright holder. www.legendware.co.uk Printed by The Manson Group Printers. ©The Leisure Media Company Ltd 2011 ISSN 0266/9102 114 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 4 2012 © cybertrek 2011 Intelligent Hydration Maintaining good hydration is key for gym users getting results Generating sustainable revenue is key for successful gyms The Sports Drink Challenge... margins + Saturated with glucose + Poor nutritional content = Unhappy gym users & gyms The Solution... = Great value + Zero glucose + Added electrolytes & vitamins for fast, effective hydration = Happy gym users. = Touch screen self service + Subscription based biometric recognition + Happy gyms. Come and see for yourself. Call 0800 035 2340 to visit one of the leading UK gyms who keep their members hydrated whilst generating over £70,000pa with energeau. www.energeau.com RF MANAGEMENT