www.leisuremanagement.co.uk
ISSUE 1 2010 VOLUME 30 NUMBER 1 £7.00
DRAGONS’ DEN'S JAMES CAAN Shaking up the health THE WORLD'S and fi tness market WEIRDEST RESTAURANTS CARDIFF CITY OF SPORT
THE BURNING QUESTION: DON CAMILLERI Are farm attractions On what's next for Center Parcs safe for children?
leisure-kit.net offi cial magazine Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital LEISURE • TOURISM • HEALTH & FITNESS • SPA • SPORT • ATTRACTIONS • HOSPITALITY Living bathrooms. Sanitaryware, bathroom furniture, showertrays, bathtubs, whirl and wellbeing systems, accessories: Duravit is leading the way to the complete bathroom. More info at Duravit AG, Werderstrasse 36, 78132 Hornberg, Germany, Phone +49 7833 70 425, Fax +49 7833 707 425, [email protected], www.duravit.com
KEX_SpaBus_Bf12_210x297mm.indd 1 15.04.2009 8:39:40 Uhr EDITOR’S LETTER e-mail: contact’s full name @leisuremedia.com TOUGH CHOICES Subscriptions Julie Albone +44 (0)1462 471915 e face new challenges in this election year, with £178bn (or thereabouts) to be [email protected] Circulation Manager recouped on public services and no easy way of achieving these savings. The Michael Emmerson Chancellor, Alistair Darling, is on record saying the cuts will be the toughest we’ve +44 (0)1462 471932 faced for 20 years if Labour wins the next general election, but that they won’t be Editor Liz Terry W implemented until the economy has recovered from the recession. +44 (0)1462 431385 Managing Editor Research by Ipsos MORI shows 75 per cent of people optimisitically believe this money can Magali Robathan all be saved in effi ciencies “without damaging the services the public receives”. However, 50 per +44 (0)1462 471918 cent also believe that “there is a real need to cut spending on public services in order to pay off Contributors the very high national debt we now have”. Reconciling these contradictory expectations will be a Kate Cracknell +44 (0)1462 471906 challenge to both politicians and the deliverers of services at grassroots level. Kathleen Whyman With only two real choices to make in terms of how we balance the books – increasing taxes +44 (0)1462 471918 or cutting expenditure – with or without effi ciencies, the likely outcome will be a mixture of the Managing Editor/News two and it will take the upcoming election to establish the policies that will dictate priorities. Tom Walker +44 (0)1462 471934 The public has such high expectations of government in every sphere of life that the hard Assistant Editors/News reality of cuts could prove extremely unpalatable. Ipsos MORI was so intriegued when Anne Pete Hayman Widdicombe claimed “we now expect more of government than we do of God”, that researchers +44 (0)1462 471938 Sarah Todd +44 (0)1462 471927 Once the recession is behind us and the economy starts to Martin Nash +44 (0)1462 471911 grow, the job of sorting out public borrowing will begin, with leisure-kit.net £178bn to repay. What impact do you think this will have on Sarah Todd +44 (0)1462 471927 local government leisure services? We welcome your views Publisher John Challinor and feedback. Write to us at [email protected] +44 (0)1582 607970 Display Advertising tested the claim in a survey of the general public and found that 52 per cent agreed with her. Julie Badrick +44 (0)1462 4719019 It’s diffi cult to predict what changes we’ll be facing as an industry, but we know Labour would Nadeem Shaikh scrap 120 quangos and save £500m a year on consultancy fees. The quango overhaul will be +44 (0)1462 471902 achieved in part by mergers and the DCMS says up to a third of non-museum organisations will Jan Williams go, 10 bodies will be streamlined and 30 publicly-funded skills quangos could be closed. +44 (0)1462 471909 Advertising artwork The Conservatives will decentralise services to allow more local decision-making, while ‘inno- Ed Gallagher vative examples’ of cost-cutting which have been set by Conservative-controlled councils will +44 (0)1905 20198 be followed. Every item of public expenditure over £25,000 will be published online to “create a Design culture of accountability” and an Offi ce of Financial Management will be created to provide “lead- Andy Bundy +44 (0)1462 471924 ership in fi nancial performance management across government”. Internet People’s satisfaction with their council directly correlates with value for Katie Eldridge money, with six councils which appear in the Ipsos MORI top 10 for +44 (0)1462 431385 value appearing in the top 10 satisfaction listing, but while the Local Dean Fox Government Association believes “local government is the most effi - +44 (0)1462 471900 Emma Harris cient part of the public sector”, a survey of residents from 353 local +44 (0)1462 431385 authorities found less than half think they get value for money. Tim Nash So councils will be aiming to spend less without it showing and the +44 (0)1462 471917 creativity, drive and commercial nous of leisure services teams – so Michael Paramore +44 (0)1462 471926 long among the top performers in local government – could be used Financial Control as a best practice template for other council departments to follow. Sue Davis +44 (0)1395 519398 Financial Admin Liz Terry, editor [email protected] Denise Gildea Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital +44 (0)1462 471930 Credit Control the leisure media company publishes Rebekah Scott +44 (0)1462 431385
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ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 3 ISSUE 1 in this issue…
p26 James Caan launches nuyuu p38 Greece gets a 1bn resort at Costa Navarino
p30 Center Parcs’ Don Camilleri (right) on building the new Center Parcs
Leisure Management news 24 architect’s focus 36 building butlins dominique perrault Butlin’s new Ocean Hotel and Spa fi ts 08 world leisure news The French architect shares his inspiration well with the brand’s strategy of attracting 10 sport for the Madrid Olympic Tennis Centre new types of customer while staying true 12 commercial to its roots, says Matthew Goodman 13 health & fi tness 26 hotseat 14 attractions james caan and ben silcox 38 green dream 15 public sector The partners behind new health club Can a %1bn luxury resort really be 16 property brand nuyuu tell Magali Robathan why sustainable? Magali Robathan fi nds out 17 parks they think the sector is ripe for a shake up how the man behind Greek resort Costa 18 spa Navarino plans to create an 100 per cent 19 hospitality 30 interview emission-free destination don camilleri 20 design news Center Parcs’ development director 42 making fresh tracks Including the plans for an urban beach in speaks out about the frustrations of The Snow Centre in Hemel Hemptead Fulham and Firmdale’s latest hotel getting the Woburn site through planning has opened following a £23m development. Kath Hudson checks it out 22 design profi le 34 burning question peter joehnk should children be allowed 44 city of sport The Hamburg-based interior designer to touch farm animals? Major new sports facilities including talks to Rhianon Howells about winning Following the E.coli outbreak at Cardiff City Stadium, Millennium Stadium the Best Futuristic Design Award for Park Godstone Farm, we ask if guidelines and the ISV have transformed Cardiff. We Inn, Krakow, and his future plans should be changed for next season look at their impact on the city
4 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 issue one 2010
p58 Dining in the sky: unusual restaurants explored p44 Cardiff: investing in sport
p36 Butlin’s new spa and hotel opens p48 Glenn Earlam explains the Legoland Discovery concept
48 building a brand 62 start of a new era READER SERVICES Ahead of the opening of the UK’s David Teasdale previews the coming year fi rst Legoland Discovery Centre in and sets out BISL’s new manifesto digital magazine Manchester’s Trafford Centre, Andrea Read Leisure Management online Jezovit looks at how the brand fi ts with 64 senior’s solutions leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital Merlin Entertainment’s wider plans be true to yourself news & jobs Real customer focus is essential in these For jobs and news visit the 52 using wellness tough times, says Grahame Senior Leisure Management website at Ginsters’ innovative employee wellness www.leisuremanagement.co.uk programme uses sport and leisure 66 travel research attention buyers! to boost morale, lower staff turnover Britons are staying close to home during Use our product search engine to and create a healthier workforce. Kath the recession, and are likely to be careful fi nd suppliers and get innovation Hudson fi nds out how about spending on travel during 2010 updates www.leisure-kit.net 56 capitalising on 68 leisure-kit subscribe: carbon reduction New products for industry buyers sign up for Leisure Management at We take a look at how the launch of the leisuremanagement.co.uk/subs Carbon Reduction Commitment scheme 72 leisure directory or call: +44 (0)1462 471915 can be used to the industry’s advantage buyers’ guide: 74 odd job For suppliers of products and 58 dining with a difference silent movie pianist services in the leisure markets, We take a close look at a few of the Neil Brand explains how he brings silent turn to p72 world’s weirdest restaurants fi lms to life with his piano playing
ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 5 Relay™
Specifically designed to provide durable and innovative solutions for all leisure environments. Call: 01474 353 333 www.armitage-venesta.co.uk NEWS World Leisure
K;@:lem\`cje\nHXji8cJXiXYi\jfik The Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) has launched the new Qasr Al Sarab holiday resort in the Rub’ al Khali (Empty Quarter) desert in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Located within one of the largest sand deserts in the world, the new resort boasts 154 guest rooms, 42 villas, an Anantara spa and a swimming pool complex, as well as 10 royal villas and a fi tness centre. The Anantara spa features fi ve desert- view treatment rooms, a Moroccan-style Hammam, double heated marble beds, spa pools, steamrooms and an ice cave, as well as a Vichy treatment room and a K_\iffdjf]]\im`\njf]k_\[\j\ikY\pfe[ whirlpool bath. A range of face and body treatments, offered at the spa, have been Construction work on the Qasr Al Engineering and Contracting to incorpo- based on traditional Arabian rituals using Sarab Resort by Anantara got under- rate eco-friendly measures, such as effi - ingredients indigenous to the region – way in September 2006 and was built cient water consumption and recycling including dates, sand, honey and olives. by Abu Dhabi-based company Al Jaber and sustainable lighting.
=flik_D8:ZclY LJ('di\mXdg fg\ej`eKlib\p gcXee\[]fi8c`:\eki\ The Muhammad Ali Centre in The MAC Bebekoy club, owned by the Louisville, Kentucky, US, has launched Turkey-based Mars Entertainment Group a US$10m fundraising campaign. (MEG), has opened in Istanbul. The centre, in Muhammad Ali’s Located in the upmarket Etiler/Bebek hometown, is attempting to raise neighbourhood, with views across the money to complete its permanent Bosphorus, the 4,000sq m club is the visitor experience, to create the most luxurious in the MAC (Mars Athletic Muhammad Ali Archives and Research Club) chain. Annual membership to the Centre and to expand its event space. club costs US$2,400 (£1,450). The existing visitor experience will Facilities include a gym equipped by D\dY\ij_`gZfjkjXifle[LJ)#+''Xp\Xi also see its fourth-fl oor exhibits com- Life Fitness, Nautilus, Technogym, Hoist, pleted. These focus on “fi nding per- Free Motion and Gravity. A broad range Theatre and children’s sessions. These are sonal greatness within”. of group exercise classes span every- complemented by martial arts classes and These exhibits were not completed thing from group cycling, through Oriental fi tness/swimming programmes delivered when the museum fi rst opened in dance and Latin street dance, to Hip Hop in the club’s swimming pool. 2005 due to a lack of funding.
:_Xic`\:_Xgc`edlj\ldkffg\e`eJn`kq\icXe[ A museum dedicated to the life of screen fi lm scores and multimedia exhibits explor- legend Charlie Chaplin is to open in his ing the history of fi lm making. A wine cellar former home at Vevey on the shores of beneath the house will be used to create a Lake Geneva in Switzerland. Chaplin-era Victorian London streetscape. L’Espace Musee Charlie Chaplin, in The estate, where Chaplin made his the planning for more than 10 years after home in 1952 after being banned from neighbours initially opposed the idea, will returning to the US because of his alleged showcase the actor’s screen career and political leanings, consists of an area of include footage from classic fi lms such as about 14 hectares and comprises the The Immigrant, City Lights and The Great house, a farm, ancient buildings, wood- Dictator. It will also cover Chaplin’s life in land, terraces, gardens and pathways. London music hall and feature artefacts L’Espace Musee Charlie Chaplin is due including the piano at which he composed to open to the public by the end of 2012. :_Xgc`eËjc`]\n`ccY\Z\c\YiXk\[
8 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 IX]Õ\jDXbbX_GXcXZ\kffg\e`eD\ZZX Raffl es Hotels and Resorts is set to man- age a new luxury hotel in the holy Islamic city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Located in the Abraj Al Bait Complex, the 198-bedroom Raffl es Makkah Palace will include a café, an ice-creamery, a chocolate parlour and the Levantine Restaurant. An outdoor dining terrace will overlook the holiest site in Islam – the Masjid al-Haram (Grand Mosque). Health and fi tness facilities will include his- and hers-only fi tness centres, a beauty parlour and a grooming salon, and access to an adjoining retail mall and Raffl es Amrita Spa. K_\e\n_fk\cZfdgc\on`cckfn\iXYfm\k_\jXZi\[DXja`[Xc$?XiXdj`k\ Set to open in April 2010, the property is the company’s second hotel in the Middle Hotels & Resorts are pleased to have been munity. The Middle East is also a region East, following the launch of Raffl es Dubai entrusted with the most prestigious devel- of strategic priority for Raffl es Hotels & in 2007. Chris Cahill, CEO of Fairmont opment in Mecca, a city of such signifi cant Resorts and we are delighted to be able to Raffl es Hotels International, said: “Raffl es importance within the global Muslim com- grow our presence here.”
9iXe[\ok\ej`fe]fi ()d=`c`g`efD`e[ @e[`Xen\cce\jj^iflg Dlj\ldYi\Xbj^ifle[ Work has started on the 1bn Indian wellness company Sansha Exports Philippines pesos (£12.7m, US$21.2m, has revealed further details about the roll- E14.2m) Mind Museum, located in out of its Sansha spa brand, with more Taguig City, Metro Manila. than 30 spas due to open within Indian The museum is the brainchild of hotels over the next year. Bonifacio Art Foundation, and was Four new Sansha spas are set to open designed by Filipino architects Lor imminently in the area of Rajasthan as Calma & Partners. well as two Seven Seas spas – one in It will boast 175 interactive exhib- Rajasthan and one in Orissa. its over 3,560sq m of indoor exhibi- The group currently has 20 spas across K_\^iflgn`ccfg\e*'jgXj`e@e[`X tion space. The two-storey building will India under the Sansha hotel spa and feature fi ve galleries: The Story of the Seven Seas day spa brands. of the city of Udaipur in India. Operated Universe; The Story of the Earth; The The latest Sansha spa opened in under a franchise agreement, the 2,500sq Story of Life; The Story of the Atom; September 2009 at Fateh Garh, a Heritage ft (232sq m) spa offers a lounge experi- and the Story of Technology. The Mind Renaissance Resort, located on the edge ence inspired by Indian royal traditions. Museum is scheduled to open in 2011.
=`ke\jj=`ijkfg\ej0(jk8ljkiXc`XeZclY Fitness First has opened the doors of its FFIT programme. This encompasses two 91st Australian club in the Sydney suburb initiatives for high school aged students: of Five Dock, New South Wales. high school classes can access the club The 2,826sq m facility is spread over for free as part of their physical education two levels, with a fully-equipped gym curriculum, and students aged 14 to 18 and a number of group exercise studios, can use club facilities during the school including a group cycling studio and a holidays to keep active. weights and resistance studio. “Our aim to is make Australia a fi tter There is also a 20m swimming pool place by providing the latest in equip- and a spa area with aromatherapy steam ment, expert advice and guidance and room, sauna and relaxation zone. by creating a welcoming, friendly atmos- The club also offers a ‘Playzone’ for phere,” says Andy Mallinson, Fitness kids, as well as running Fitness First’s First’s marketing director. =`ke\jj=`ijkfg\iXk\jZclYj`e(0Zfleki`\j
ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 9 NEWS Sport
LBjgfikjZclYjÊ[\]p`e^i\Z\jj`feË Community sports clubs across the UK are withstanding the recession after reporting an increase in membership levels, accord- ing to new research by the Central Council of Physical Recreation (CCPR). An independent study of 3,000 clubs – commissioned by the CCPR every other year in order to gauge the state of grass- roots sports – found that 34 per cent had seen an increase in the number of adult memberships and 40 per cent had seen an increase in junior memberships. A total of 73 sports were represented in the Survey of Sports Clubs 2009, with sailing, motor sports and junior football Ale`fi]ffkYXcc`jfe\f]k_\^ifn`e^jgfikj among the sports to report the largest growth since 2007. However, golf was the effect of the government’s attempts to CCPR chief executive Tim Lamb said: only sport to see a reduction. increase the number of people participat- “Hopefully, what we’re beginning to see is It is hoped that the results from the ing in sport ahead of the London 2012 the fruit of policies designed to deliver a CCPR study demonstrate the positive Olympics through additional investment. legacy from the Olympic Games.”
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Plans have been unveiled for a major £400m redevelopment of Lord’s Cricket Ground in St John’s Wood, London, which are designed to reaffi rm the venue’s repu- tation as the home of cricket. The development proposals have been drawn up by Swiss architects Herzog and K_\Zflek[fnekf)'()`jfe de Meuron – the fi rm behind the Beijing National Stadium, China, which was used Cfi[Ëjn`ccle[\i^fXdXjj`m\i\mXdg Cfe[fe)'()Êjk`ccfe for the 2008 Olympic Games. According to The Times newspaper, the boasting 16 long lanes and 10 pitches to k`d\#jk`ccfeYl[^\kË vision for Lord’s project will see the ven- simulate overseas playing conditions. New fi gures from the government and ue’s seating capacity increase from 24,493 The proposed underground part of the the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) to 36,990, and a new underground facil- scheme would also feature a sports injury have shown that the London 2012 ity will be built to house a cricket academy clinic, a gym and a swimming pool. Olympic and Paralympic Games will be delivered on time and on budget. The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Quarterly Dfpe`_Xe1)'()c\^XZpgcXejÊefkk_\i\p\kË Economic Report has seen a £7m Lord Moynihan, chair of the British ing that participation levels in sport will increase in the cost of the ODA’s con- Olympic Association (BOA), has called increase post-2012. He also warned of struction programme, which equates for a change in direction to ensure a last- “the Wimbledon factor” with short term to an increase of less than 0.1 per ing sporting legacy from the London 2012 interest generated during the Games not cent. However, nothing from the Olympic and Paralympic Games. being sustained post-2012. £1.27bn contingency funding has Speaking at the National Sports “What we need is a change in policy been required to cover the increase Development Seminar in Sheffi eld in and to make sure we engage national gov- due to savings achieved elsewhere as November, Moynihan said plans to erning bodies, local authorities and sports part of ongoing construction of the increase participation at all levels of sport clubs to ensure that a legacy is delivered 2012 venues at the Olympic Park site. needed re-evaluation so that the oppor- successfully,” he added. Changes in the anticipated fi nal cost tunity of tapping into the interest created “At the moment the structure of our of the London Games include savings by the Games is not lost. He said cur- sporting system is too top heavy, cumber- made on site and the potential need to rent plans were a “long way” from ensur- some and bureaucratic.” improve local sports facilities.
10 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Swine flu are you ready...
...for the 2nd wave?
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ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 11 NEWS Commercial
>:Xj`efcXleZ_\j`e:fm\ekip More than 1,200 guests attended a spe- cial event at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry in October to mark the opening of Grosvenor Casinos’ ninth G Casino in the UK. The Ricoh Arena casino has benefi ted from a £1m reconfi guration since it was acquired by Grosvenor Casinos in a £650,000 deal from Isle of Capri in April 2009. Opened on 29 October 2010, the 44,000sq ft (4,088sq m) casino will form part of Rank’s plans to expand the G Casino brand to 20 sites by the end of 2012. At the time of going to press a fur- ther G Casino was scheduled to open in Sheffi eld before the end of December. K_\>:Xj`efXkk_\I`Zf_8i\eX`eZcl[\jfe\f]k_\cXi^\jkgfb\iiffdj`e =`ijk_dmZliqfe Z`e\dXfg\ej Music retailer HMV and cinema operator Curzon have opened a cinema at a HMV store in Wimbledon, London – the fi rst in a planned nationwide network of store- based cinemas across the UK. Branded as hmvcurzon, the cinema will operated as a joint venture between K_\jZ_\d\n`ccZfjkdfi\k_Xe.'d the two companies and is situated on the store’s unused second fl oor. :liqfefg\iXk\jj`oj`k\j`eCfe[fe F[\feXe[L:@kfifcc The venue has three screens with a combined total of 263 seats and also fea- expansion plans will depend on the suc- flk[`^`kXck_\Xki\j tures a fully licensed café-bar and a mer- cess of the Wimbledon venture. Odeon & UCI Cinemas Group (OUCG) chandise area. HMV hopes to be able to The Wimbledon is Curzon’s sixth. The is to install digital projectors to the roll out the hmvcurzon concept to more other fi ve are located in Mayfair, Soho, remainder of its sites, after securing locations across the country, although Bloomsbury, Chelsea and Richmond. distribution deals with three leading Hollywood studios. OUCG, Europe’s largest cinema chain, which operates the Odeon, UCI Afe^c\lijZclYjkfY\i\YiXe[\[X]k\ijXc\ and Cinesa brands, already has 187 The license and naming rights for the A statement from Intertain said: “On 20 digital screens within its portfolio. famous Jongleurs comedy club chain October 2009, Intertain Limited acquired The fi tting of the remaining cinemas will revert to the chain’s founder, Maria 10 live entertainment venues as part of with digital theatres will cost more than Kempinska, as of 2 January 2010. a package of 60 trading assets, from the £70m to complete, and will be funded Intertain, the newly founded company joint administrators of Regent Inns. over time by a combination of con- that acquired and saved 60 Regent Inns “Intertain has now entered into a brand tributions from the three studios as sites from administration in November licensing agreement with Jongleurs well as the earnings derived from the – including 10 Jongleurs clubs – will be Comedy Limited to continue to run these improved programming offer. able to use the Jongleurs name until con- 10 venues as Jongleurs Comedy Clubs The three studios which will be trol of the brand reverts to Kempinska. until 2 January 2010.” part-funding the new projectors are The UK-based entrepreneur founded the After then, it isn’t known whether Twentieth Century Fox, Paramount brand in 1983 after setting up the fi rst Intertain will rebrand the clubs or come to Pictures and Walt Disney Studios club in a space above a Regent Inns pub. a new arrangement with Kempinska. Motion Pictures international. 12 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 NEWS Health & Fitness C8=`ke\jjkfjg\e[*'dfei\mXdgj Private equity-owned gym chain LA Fitness has earmarked £30m for a comprehensive refurbishment programme of its 83-strong portfolio of health clubs in the UK. The investment and the new strategy is being driven by chief executive Martin Long, who said he wants to reposition the entire LA Fitness brand. Long said: “Gyms were originally built to rent out space containing gym equipment – members signed a 12 month contract in January and often didn’t come back. “That suited operators then, but gym membership is stuck at just 12 per cent penetration – and has been for the last few K_\>9JpeZ_fk\Xd_\cgjC8Z\c\YiXk\`kjCfe[fei\]liY`j_d\ek years. If the industry is to break through that it must up its game.” that staff develop a relationship with mem- to identify fi tness targets and a personal- To tackle retention issues, Long has bers throughout the course of their con- ised training routine to help them achieve introduced a new customer relationship tract. Each new or lapsed member is their goals. Members also receive a call, management initiative which aims to ensure treated to a tailored ‘Kickstart’ programme text or email to get them back into the gym. .)'#'''i\mXdg ;Xm`[Ccfp[ ]fi=`]\^pdj Zfdgc\k\ji\mXdgj Fitness club operator David Lloyd Seven gyms within council-owned leisure Leisure (DLL) has completed a rede- centres in Fife are to be refurbished. velopment programme that upgraded Fife Sports and Leisure Trust and Fife facilities at 14 of its UK sites. Council are investing £720,000 to upgrade The fi nal four clubs to receive seven fi tness suites. facelifts were Woking, Chigwell, The centres to receive upgrades are Hatfi eld and Cambridge. the Cowdenbeath Leisure Centre; Cupar At Cambridge, the largest site to Sports Centre; Bowhill Swimming Pool; undergo a revamp, DLL invested Levenmouth Swimming Pool and Sports £200,000 in 100 new pieces of CV Centre; Dalgty Bay Sports and Leisure 8eXik`jkËj`dgi\jj`fef]k_\^pdgcXej equipment supplied by Life Fitness. Centre; The Beacon Leisure Centre; and Paul Batty, DLL’s head of procure- East Sands Leisure Centre. The council will provide £360,000 for ment, said: “We continue with our stra- The refurbishment schedule is running refurbishment and redecoration, while the tegic investment into our gyms areas. over a three-month period, with all gyms leisure trust will supply the same amount “This has included signifi cant invest- being completed by the end of January. for Technogym equipment. ment in our gym equipment.” GXibnff[Xo\jjleY\[j]ifdc\`jli\Z\eki\j Health club operator and management ests of our customers. Health and safety is contractor Parkwood leisure has become our number one priority and always will be. the latest operator to remove all sunbeds Our local authority clients have given their from all of its sites. unanimous support for this initiative.” According to Andrew Holt, managing Lorraine Langdon, a member at Cardiff director, the decision to remove all tan- International Pool, which is operated by ning equipment by 1 January 2010 was Parkwood, said that she was relieved to made after the group reviewed research see the sunbeds removed. conducted by the International Agency for “I am pleased to see that the sunbeds Research on Cancer (IARC). are being removed. I think they are detri- Holt said: “Having considered the lat- mental to our health and it is good to see est research in this area, we now feel that that customers and members’ health is removing the sunbeds is in the best inter- being taken into consideration.” GXibnff[`ji\dfm`e^XccjleY\[j ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 13 NEWS Attractions C`m\igffcËjFg\e A\n`j_dlj\ldi\fg\e`e^[\cXp\[lek`cDXiZ_ The Jewish Museum London will reopen to for temporary and touring exhibitions. the public on Wednesday 17 March 2010, The Welcome gallery will include a mul- four months later than originally planned. timedia installation, highlighting the back- The museum, located in Camden Town, ground of Jewish people living in Britain has undergone a £10m redevelopment today, and a mikveh (a ritual bath) dating which has resulted in the museum trebling to the medieval period. in space in order to accommodate its col- The other new galleries are the History lections, which are currently housed at two Gallery, which includes an interactive separate sites in Camden and Finchley. exhibition exploring the history of British The revamp, funded partly by a £4.3m Jews; the Religion Gallery, which explores grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, has Jewish ethics and values; a special exhibi- divided the museum into fi ve galleries, with tions gallery for travelling exhibits; and the four permanent ones and one earmarked Holocaust Education Gallery. K_\dlj\ldn`ccfg\e`eDXiZ_)'(' 14 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 NEWS Public Sector ;feZXjk\iZ\eki\j :fleZ`clem\`cjNXb\Ô\c[gcXej li^\[kfX[fgkkiljkdf[\c Plans for a new multi-million pound swim- Two leisure centres in Doncaster, ming pool and fi tness complex in the cen- South Yorkshire, are at risk of closure tre of Wakefi eld, West Yorkshire, have unless the local authority transfer the been unveiled by the local authority. operation of local facilities to the trust The scheme, which is expected to cost that currently runs the Dome venue. at least £10m and will be situated on the A report to Doncaster Council’s site of the former Sun Lane baths, is cur- overview and scrutiny management rently the subject of a consultation. committee has called on councillors Wakefi eld Council’s proposals include to back plans for an expanded Dome an eight-lane, 25m swimming pool, a 13m Trust to take over the management of by 7m learner pool – both boasting move- all swimming pools and leisure centres able fl oors to allow more members of the across Doncaster. local community access to the facility. In July 2008, consultants Neil Allen A 130-station fi tness suite, a multi-use Associates conducted a study to activity studio and a health suite with spa GcXej`eZcl[\X),djn`dd`e^gffc examine options for the management bath, steamroom and sauna are also ear- of leisure facilities in Doncaster, which marked as part of the project, as well as a “Last year we made a promise to people identifi ed an expanded trust model as 200-capacity spectator viewing area. that we would work towards building a the preferred way forward rather than Denise Jeffery, deputy leader at fantastic new pool in the city – and we are the current ‘in-house’ model. Wakefi eld Council, said of the plans: now moving forward in earnest.” JZfkk`j_XcZf_fccXn ]XZ\jfggfj`k`fe =lc_XdÊliYXeY\XZ_Ë New legislation aimed at reducing the £2.25bn cost of alcohol misuse across [\j`^ejlem\`c\[ Scotland has been unveiled by the Scottish government. The legislation Plans for a new ‘urban beach’ on the includes the introduction of a mini- banks of the River Thames in Fulham, mum price per unit. London, have been unveiled by the However, the minimum pricing pro- London Borough of Hammersmith and posals have come under fi re from the Fulham (LBHF). Scottish Labour, Liberal Democrat The local authority is hoping to recreate and Conservative parties over con- a seaside atmosphere that used to attract cerns that the measures could violate Edwardian families from across London to European laws and will not do enough Margate Sands as part of an £8m scheme K_\Y\XZ_n`ccY\cfZXk\[Xk9`j_fgËjGXib to tackle alcohol abuse. to regenerate Bishop’s Park. Scottish health secretary Nicola Sand from Margate and other Kent However, the beach is now set to reo- Sturgeon said of the legislation: “It is beaches was used to create the urban pen under new plans put forward by LBHF, simply inexcusable that opponents beach, which fi rst opened in 1903 but fell which will also lead to the restoration of have chosen not even to listen to the into disrepair during the Second World War the adjacent Fulham Palace grounds and evidence around minimum pricing dur- before being closed in 1949. Bishop’s Park’s ornamental lakes. ing the Bill process.” Ebbsfl eet - High Quality facilities for High Speed Station The formal opening by Dame Kelly Homes of Ebbsfl eet International, a key station on the High Speed line, signifi ed the completion of the £6billion High Speed project which enables travel of up to 140 miles per hour into the heart of London. Stylish Equinox cubicles with streamline, polished pilasters were supplied by the UK’s leading washroom provider, Armitage Venesta for installation within the contemporary glass and steel construction designed by consortium, Rail Link Engineering. Armitage Venesta’s pre-plumed system, IPS Evolve, with its factory fi tted sanitary ware, was used to provide easy clean surfaces that promote hygiene and provide easy access for ongoing maintenance. For more information on Armitage Venesta’s washroom systems and IPS Evolve ©, call 01474 353 333 or visit www.armitage-venesta.co.uk NEWS Property %+*'dc\`jli\Zfdgc\ogcXee\[]fi;le[Xcb An application for a %430m (£387.4m) snow complex in Dundalk, Ireland, is to be submitted to Louth County Council. The Altitude project – proposed by local fi rm Innovative Leisure Systems and UK-based Briton Engineering – will include a ski slope and nursery slopes; a 100-bed- room family hostel; a 110,000sq ft indoor concert arena; an 80,000sq ft leisure zone, which includes a cinema and bowling alley; and a 40,000sq ft surf and water lei- sure dome, as well as restaurants. Later phases will include additional hotel accommodation and a casino. Sam Curran, one of the two direc- K_\jZ_\d\_XjY\\e[\j`^e\[YpC\feXi[;\j`^e8iZ_`k\Zkj tors of Innovative Leisure Systems, said: “We’ve fi netuned our plans over the last “While the current climate is not ideal, Curran also said that the project was not 30 months and are satisfi ed that the mix we foresee economic recovery during the reliant on funding from the Irish banking of different elements we are proposing will seven-year timescale, which will not rely sector or public funding. The scheme is provide a compelling attraction. exclusively on the domestic market.” expected to be completed by 2016. :XdY\in\cc9Xk_j i\mXdggcXej London-based architects Watkins Gray International’s plans for the regenera- tion of the historic Camberwell Baths in London have been given the green light by the local authority. The London Borough of Southwark has approved planning consent for the fi rst 8eXik`jkËj`dgi\jj`fef]k_\gcXej phase of a £3m scheme to overhaul the Grade II-listed baths, which will include >fm\ied\eki\a\Zkj repairs to the pool and sports hall and K_\YXk_jXi\>iX[\@@$c`jk\[ major upgrade works. 16 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 NEWS Parks & Countryside NfibjkXikjfe*%/d9lipnff[cXe[jZ_\d\ A new 71-hectare (175-acre) community woodland is set to be created in Bury, Greater Manchester, as part of a £3.8m regeneration scheme incorporating the town’s Waterdale and Drinkwater parks. The Forestry Commission has started work on a former industrial site between Prestwich and Clifton to improve the local environment and create a number of new recreational facilities, including 12km (7.5 miles) of leisure trails. Work on multi-purpose waymarked trails, which will be used by walkers, horse riders and cyclists, will be next, while future plans also include wetland wildlife K_\e\ncpZi\Xk\[nff[cXe[n`ccY\XmX`cXYc\]fiXeldY\if]c\`jli\glijl`kj habitats and fi shing ponds. A new mountain bike track, the illumina- Funding for the new woodland, which Commission and the North West tion of a viaduct running through the site will form part of a major community Regional Development Agency through and the introduction of information signs woodland across Salford, Manchester the Newlands initiative – a £59m NWDA- are also being planned. and Bury, is being raised by the Forestry funded land regeneration scheme. Jflk_;fnej_Xe[\[ >i\\ec`^_k]fi EXk`feXcGXibjkXklj ?\Xiknff[=fi\jkgcXej Tree planting is set to get underway for Environment secretary Hilary Benn has the creation of a new 347-hectare (858- confi rmed that the South Downs – stretch- acre) native woodland in Hertfordshire ing from East Sussex to Hampshire – has – called Heartwood Forest – after the become the ninth English national park. scheme was given the go ahead by the The 632sq mile (1,637sq km) South Forestry Commission. Downs National Park will cover land The commission has approved an between Beachy Head, East Sussex in the environment statement submitted in east and St Catherine’s Hill in Winchester, 2009 by the Woodland Trust, which Hampshire, incorporating two areas of out- K_\Jflk_;fnejZfXjk`eJljj\o will see more than 600,000 native standing natural beauty. broadleaf trees planted as part of the A new national park authority for the Benn said: “National Park status will Heartwood Forest scheme. South Downs, responsible for the conser- attract new visitors to the South Downs Heartwood Forest will be the larg- vation of the wildlife and landscape within and bring investment into the local area. est site in England operated by the the park, is set to be created by April 2010 The unique chalk downlands will now be Woodland Trust, providing publicly and become fully operational within a year. protected for everyone to enjoy.” accessible green space. DXpficXleZ_\j>i\XkFlk[ffij`e`k`Xk`m\ A new strategy outlining plans to trans- Better Green and Water Spaces – which form London’s public spaces and to create outline the mayor’s main aims for design- new green oases across the capital over ing improved public spaces. the next three years has been launched by Johnson said: “If you Google our city mayor Boris Johnson. with a satellite map you will see how the London’s Great Outdoors – A Manifesto world beneath you is divided into two cat- for Public Spaces sets out more than egories. There is private space – that is, 50 projects, including reclaimed green homes and gardens occupied by individu- spaces and waterways, that are set to ben- als and their families. efi t from more than £220m of investment “However, more than half of the London during the three-year period. landscape is shared space including The document is supported by two addi- roads, parks, canals, rivers, squares, piaz- tional practical guides – Better Streets and zas, malls and monuments.” ?FBËjIf[J_\Xi[fen_pN\dYc\pAf_ejfecXleZ_\[k_\`e`k`k`m\`eEfm\dY\i ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 17 NEWS Spa & Wellness @e[`^\efljjgX ClolipjgX]fi?ffc\?Xcc gcXee\[]fiJZfkcXe[ An £8m luxury spa opened to the public A new spa is to open within the lux- on 2 November in Chester, Cheshire. ury Blythswood Square Hotel in The Club and Spa at Hoole Hall has Glasgow, Scotland, with the redevelop- been built on the grounds of the former ment of one of the city’s most famous 18th century Hoole Hall manor house, buildings, the former Royal Scottish which is now the Doubletree by Hilton Automobile Club. Covering 10,000sq ft hotel on the outskirts of Chester. The (929sq m), the spa will feature indige- Grade II-listed 72-bedroom hotel is oper- nous Scottish treatments designed by ated by Sanguine Hospitality. spa director Matt Laird in conjunction Located in the hotel’s walled garden, the with the organic product house ILA, as spa will offer a total of 14 treatment rooms, well as therapies using Anne Sémonin including two couples suites, a relaxation products. There will be nine treatment area, an 18m swimming pool, an experi- rooms, including a double suite. ence pool and a plunge pool. There will also be a Finnish sauna, a =XZ`c`k`\j`eZcl[\Xe(/djn`dd`e^gffc steam room, a rasul chamber, a hammam :fie`j_\Zf$_fk\c and a meditation room. The opening of the spa is part of a multi- fg\ej`eDfi^XeGfik_ The beauty spa’s large health and phase £26.5m redevelopment of the prop- fi tness suite will include a gym, two dance erty by Denozen Contracts and Falconer The Scarlet eco-hotel in Morgan Porth, studios and changing rooms. Chester Hall Architects. Cornwall, has launched on a clifftop overlooking the Atlantic Ocean with a 9,149sq ft (850sq m) spa. Using Tri- Dosha ayurvedic products as well as Jk\`e\iXZhl`i\j Voya seaweed preparations, the treat- ments offered are holistic in focus. The 9c`jj]fi(''d spa offers seven different treatment types, each representing a journey. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has agreed to sell its spa company, Bliss World Holdings (Bliss), to Steiner Leisure for :fnj_\[:XieXYp $100m (E67.4m, £60.3m) in cash. cXleZ_\j`eJf_f As part of the agreement, both the Bliss and Remède spas and amenities will A new concept store and spa created by remain exclusive to Starwood in the hotel the Cowshed brand has opened in cen- category at W Hotels and St Regis Hotels. tral London. Located in Soho, Cowshed Spa and skincare company Bliss has Carnaby has been created to show- a global range of free-standing and hotel Jk\`e\igX`[-*d]fik_\9c`jjjgXj case the brand and follows the origi- spa locations, offering services under the nal Cowshed Relax Spa at Babington Bliss and Remède brands, and products ucts through a range of department stores House in Somerset, and a sister site in under the Bliss and Laboratoire Remède including Bloomingdale’s, Harrods, Harvey Notting Hill, London. A range of signa- brands. Bliss also operates an e-com- Nichols, Macy’s and Neiman Marcus as ture treatments are offered, including merce business and distributes its prod- well as the Sephora stores. manicures and pedicures. @JG8XeefleZ\je\nYfXi[d\dY\ij]fi)'(' The International Spa Association (ISPA) Schmidt, the owner and chief executive of has revealed its 2010 board of directors, Living Energy Design. including four new members. Each member of the ISPA board volun- For the second year, chair Jean Kolb teers their time to help to lead the will lead the board, while the four newly global association and develop plans elected board members include Dr for both enhancing membership and Kathryn Dundas, the CEO of Sublime boosting the spa industry through Energy Medical Spa and the group direc- research events and education. tor of spa for Mandarin Oriental Hotel Kolb said: “I’m honoured to lead the Group, Andrew Gibson. members of ISPA. ISPA will continue to The quartert is completed by Ella provide valuable resources and opportu- Stimpson, spa director at The Broadmoor nities to its members which will help them in Colorado Springs, US; and Paul through this turbulent time.” 8e[i\n>`Yjfe#fe\f]k_\e\n[`i\Zkfij 18 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 NEWS Hospitality ; ;Cfe[felem\`cjDffi^Xk\_fk\cgcXej Restaurant operator D&D London has unveiled plans to develop its fi rst hotel after securing a deal with property com- pany Frogmore for a new 80-bedroom property in Moorgate, London. The 72,000sq ft (6,689sq m) boutique property will be designed by architects Allies and Morrison, while Conran and Partners – owned by D&D London’s major- ity shareholder Sir Terence Conran – will design the hotel’s interior. A ground fl oor bar and grill; a sev- enth fl oor rooftop restaurant and bar with an outdoor terrace; meeting and events K_\_fk\cËj`ek\i`fin`ccY\[\j`^e\[YpK\i\eZ\:feiXe spaces; and private dining areas have all been proposed as part of the Moorgate D&D has the perfect background for both The news came just weeks after it was hotel development. the hotel and the restaurants.” revealed that Conran is also planning to Paul White, chief executive offi cer at Construction work on the new hotel is expand his Albion-branded English café Frogmore, said of the pplans: “The hotel scheduled to start in 2010, with the prop- chain. Conran has already negotiated a will be just what this location needs and erty set to open to the public in 2012. lease on a possible site in Victoria, London. :_`gfkc\D\o`ZXe>i`cc LB_fk\cfg\iXkfij Zfd`e^kfCfe[fe YlZb`e^k_\ki\e[ Both revenue and occupancy continue The Denver, US-based burrito restaurant to fall at European hotels, but UK oper- chain Chipotle Mexican Grill is to open its ators seem to be weathering the condi- fi rst location in the UK. tions better than their mainland rivals. Design and building plans are currently A year-to-date report from research being fi nalised for a restaurant at 114-116 company Deloitte shows revenue per Charing Cross Road in London’s West available room (revPAR) in the euro End, which is scheduled to open in April zone was down 19.2 per cent on 2008. 2010. The restaurant will be the company’s Although the UK too has suffered, fi rst eatery in Europe. K_\i\jkXliXekn`ccj\im\D\o`ZXe]ff[ the ‘staycation’ effect which has seen Steve Ells – founder, chair and co-ceo of Britons take more domestic holidays Chipotle – said: “London has become an pany has further revealed that, beyond has offset the fall in inbound tourism. important food city over the years, espe- its interest in the UK, it has also looked at London boasts the highest occupancy cially because of the awareness of and sites in both Paris and Munich but has nei- in Europe at 79.8 per cent, while desire for things like locally sourced, sea- ther identifi ed specifi c sites nor released Glasgow and Edinburgh were the only sonal, and artisanal ingredients.” The com- timelines for such expansion. European ciities to show growth. KI>gcXee`e^)'e\nfg\e`e^je\okp\Xi The Restaurant Group has continued to tough for the sector, with tax rises, fuel trade in line with expectations, with like- price increases and the threat of higher for-like sales currently 3 per cent down on unemployment all potentially impacting the same period in 2008. Total turnover, on consumer spending. However, TRG however, is up 4 per cent. said it believes its strong brands and Announcing its trading update for value-for-money offer will allow it to con- the 46 weeks to 15 November, The tinue trading profi tably. Restaurant Group reported that it had The Restaurant Group operates around opened 17 new restaurants in 2008, with 365 restaurants and pub restaurants, another 15 to 20 new openings expected mainly located in leisure locations and during the course of 2010. airports. Its primary brands are Frankie Looking ahead to 2010, the company and Benny’s, Chiquito, Garfunkel’s, expects trading conditions to remain Blubeckers and Brunning & Price. K_\ZfdgXepfg\e\[(.j`k\j`e)''0 ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 19 DESIGN designnews project: the yas hotel design: asymptote architecture location: abu dhabi Hotel opens on Grand Prix Circuit The Yas Hotel has launched on Abu Dhabi Yas Marina Grand Prix Circuit. The hotel actually consists of two separate buildings, which are connected by a bridge spanning the racetrack. Steel and diamond shaped glass panels ‘drape’ over the two buildings, uniting them visually. New York architects Asymptote Architecture designed the 499-room hotel, which is owned by Aldar Properties. It features two George V concept bars, eight speciality restau- rants and an ESPA-designed spa. The hotel exterior features thousands of LEDs, creating the opportunity for dramatic light shows. Other unusual design features include bathrooms housed in frameless glass boxes, mounted with fi ne silk sheer panels. The bridge houses a café/bar offering views of the racetrack. project: southend pier restoration design: saville jones architects location: southend, uk Southend Pier restored after fi re Following the 2005 fi re that destroyed the Old Pier Head in Southend, Saville Jones were appointed in 2007 to lead a design team in the restoration of the pier structure. The team also designed a new train station for the end of the pier. The new canopies were inspired by ‘the pattern of waves rolling in to the foreshore’. On a more practical note, the structures can be economically reproduced and easily dis- mantled if necessary. The zinc roof incorporates photovoltaic cells, which generate electricity for the pier’s use. The new canopies are lit at night from underneath. project: urban beach design: lbhf location: river thames, london, uk Fulham urban beach plans unveiled Plans for a new ‘urban beach’ on the banks of the River Thames in Fulham, London, have been unveiled by the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (LBHF). The local authority is hoping to create the beach as part of an £8m scheme to regenerate Bishop’s Park. The urban beach is a recreation of an attraction that drew Edwardian families from across London. The original beach opened in 1903 but fell into disrepair during the Second World War before being closed due to safety reasons in 1949. 20 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 project: crosby street hotel design: kit kemp (interiors) location: new york, us Firmdale launches fi rst US hotel Firmdale Hotels has opened its fi rst hotel outside of the UK – the Crosby Street Hotel in SoHo, New York. The Crosby Street Hotel has 86 rooms and suites, a bar and restaurant, a central garden, a screening room and a gym. Interiors are by Kit Kemp and are described as ‘fresh, quirky and contemporary’. The ground fl oor features wide oak fl oor- boards, large metal framed windows and a 10ft-high Jaume Plensa steel scultpure of a human head made from letters. The guest bedrooms are all individually styled and feature original artworks and oversized warehouse-style windows. The cinema screening room has 99 orange leather seats and walls padded in violet wool. project: wolgan valley resort & spa architecture: turner & associates interiors: chhada siembieda australia location: wolgan valley, australia Luxury conservation resort opens The A$125 Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa has opened on the edge of the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, Australia. The resort is Emirates Hotels and Resorts’ fi rst develop- ment outside Dubai. It features 40 suites, three restaurants and bars and a spa. It is set on 4,000 acres of land, most of which is set aside as a wildlife reserve. The main building was designed by architect Dominic Bennett (Turner & Associates), and the interiors were cre- ated by Chhada Siembieda Australia. The design is based on traditional rural Australian homesteads. Solar panels are used to heat the resort’s water, windmills are used instead of electrical pumps and all domestic water is recycled. project: stonehenge visitor centre plans design: denton corker marshall location: wiltshire, uk Stonehenge visitor centre plans English Heritage has unveiled designs for the proposed new £25m visitor centre at Stonehenge after submitting a plan- ning application for the scheme to Wiltshire Council. The facility, which is to be built 1.5 miles (2.4km) to PHOTO: ENGLISH HERITAGEPHOTO: the west of the historic site at Airman’s Corner, has been designed by London-based architects Denton Corker Marshall to be environmentally sensitive to its surroundings. A pair of single-storey structures – one glass and one tim- ber – are to be built as part of the visitor centre scheme which will house exhibitions, a café, a shop and toilets, while a low-key transit system similar to one in use at Cornwall’s Eden Project will also be provided. ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 21 DESIGN PROFILE PETERPE JOEHNK Hamburg-based company Joi Design recently won the Best Futuristic Design at the Boutique Design Awards in Miami for its work on the Park Inn hotel in Krakow. Founder and managing director Peter Joehnk explains his vision How did you get started? I completed a diploma in interior design and a degreede in ecological architecture, beforebefor setting up my own company in 11984. Right from the start, I specialised in hospitality, which was a niche market in Germany 25 years ago. Because hotel projects are relatively large, you have to have four or fi ve peo- ple on each project, so the company had to grow fast. Six years ago, Joehnk Peter Joehnk Interior Design changed into Joi Design, originally a limited company which I founded with trained as an my wife Corinna Kretschmar-Joehnk. ecological We’ve designed over 200 hotels to date architect and we employ about 40 people. What is your approach to interior design? project. The challenge there is working We start by fi nding a theme for a hotel with so many different architects, con- – something special that will defi ne the sultants and engineers, and also keeping look. We might draw inspiration from the the design on a human scale. The lobby location, the guests or the brand, but it’s is 10 fl oors high and we somehow have different for every project. to make it feel homely and nice. We’re currently reviewing all the guest rooms we’ve ever designed, and we’ve Which other designers discovered that we’ve never copied our- do you admire? selves. It’s always a different approach. There are three. Philippe Starck is one of my greatest inspirations and the Which other sectors do you work in? American designer Karim Rashid is also Hotels are about 90 per cent of what very innovative – he uses materials no we do, but we also do restaurants and one has ever used before. The third spas. Our major client in restaurants is is Andrée Putman, the elderly French McDonald’s. We have developed a new What’s been your favourite project? designer who designed the Morgan Hotel brand concept for them called the Mac I’m especially fond of a very small project in New York; we worked with her on a Café, which has 600 sites in Europe, in the south of Germany, called Hotel Ritz-Carlton here in Germany. She was located within McDonald’s restaurants. Ritter. It has just 60 bedrooms and is a one of the fi rst to develop design hotels, It’s an upmarket concept, with calm very old, charming building. We really along with Ian Schrager. colours and easy chairs and coffee tried to preserve and showcase the served in real chinaware. building while also adding some modern What was your brief for elements. The results are very beautiful. the Park Inn Krakow? How much experience do you Park Inn bedrooms are a standard have in the spa market? What project has posed the design: young and modern with strong Most of the hotels we do have a spa; greatest challenge? colours. But in the public areas, while we’re currently working on a 2,000sq m We’re currently working on a very large keeping them modern and bright, the spa for Steigenberger Hotel on Usedom project for Hilton at Frankfurt Airport. The designers are free to do something more [an island in the North Sea]. We’ve also whole project is costing about 1bn, and individual. In Krakow, the architecture done standalone spas – one of our cli- we’re working on two hotels – 580 rooms of the building itself was very strong. It ents is the Aspria Group in Europe. in total – that constitute a third of the has a really striking façade, with a lot of 22 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 The curved form of the building (right) is echoed in the design of the reception desk (left) PARK INN BY REZIDOR currently 130 Park Inns in operation openings include Park Inn Abu Dhabi; A core mid-market hotel brand from or in development across Europe, the Park Inn Oslo Airport, Norway; Park the Rezidor Hotel Group, Park Inn Middle East and Africa. Inn Sandton, South Africa; Park Inn was launched seven years ago with Soft-opened in April 2009, the Park Frankfurt Airport, Germany; and Park the opening of the Park Inn Berlin Inn Krakow is located in the centre of Inn Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Alexanderplatz in Germany. Targeting the historic Polish city with 152 rooms The Belgium-based Rezidor Hotel business and leisure travellers, the and 10 suites. Other facilities include Group manages approximately 300 properties are intended to be ‘highly an RBG Bar & Grill (Park Inn’s new sig- hotels and 60,000 rooms across 50 effi cient, fresh and innovative hotels nature restaurant concept), a wellness countries. As well as Park Inn, its that are global in outlook, national in centre and gym, fi ve meeting rooms portfolio includes Radisson, Regent, scale and local in operation’. There are and a business centre. Key future Country Inn and Missoni Hotels. curved forms. So we tried to bring some ments. There are plenty of design hotels We use local suppliers and natu- of those forms inside, especially into the that are much crazier, but this is a bou- ral materials as much as we can; we’ll reception area, which is really the show- tique hotel for ordinary people. always choose a woollen over a synthetic piece. These curves are refl ected in the carpet, and try to use oiled or waxed sur- black reception desk, in the ceiling and What were the biggest faces instead of lacquered ones. We’re fl ooring, the pattern of the fabrics and in challenges of the project? also very conscious of energy saving the shape of the furniture. There was a very limited budget. Also, – we think very carefully about light- when designing a three-star hotel, func- ing, even down to what light bulbs we Were you infl uenced by the location? tionality is very important, and it was use. Sometimes owners don’t want to Yes, our other inspiration was the city a challenge to bring real design ele- do things differently so we have to work of Krakow itself. There are glass sheets ments into a project like this. We did hard to introduce new ideas. showing silhouettes of the city behind have to make some changes because of the reception desk and also separating operational requirements – we couldn’t What are some of the most common that area from the restaurant. But it’s not have carpet in the lobby, for exam- interior design mistakes? an old-fashioned view of the city – it’s ple. However, we were very lucky that It’s usually to do with functionality. Very very modern and abstract. the owner and the operator were open- often interior designers are not experi- Because Park Inn is a very colourful minded and interested in modern design. enced in hotel design, or it’s the architect brand, we have used a lot of strong col- Traditional hotels are much safer for that does the interior design. They don’t our throughout the hotel’s design. We investors; it’s much riskier to do a mod- think about the fact that guests will be wanted the customer to feel comforta- ern hotel, so it’s very nice as a designer cleaning their shoes on the curtains and ble though, so we’ve used more subtle to have an opportunity like this. spilling coffee on the carpet! shades than the Park Inn brand colours of red, yellow, blue and green – although How important is environmental What exciting projects are we have used those as an accent. sustainability in your work? you currently working on? It’s always been important. I trained as The Dolce Hotel in Munich, a very eco- Why do you think you won the Best an ecological architect 26 years ago and friendly project due to open in April 2010. Futuristic Design award? when I started my business I put ‘eco- The investor wanted something reliable I would guess they chose it because it’s logical architect’ on my letterhead. But and authentic, so we’re using coloured not a typical, high-end design hotel – it’s at that time no one was interested so I screed instead of carpet for the fl ooring a standard three- to four-star hotel that took it off! Now everyone recognises how in the public areas, with lots of wood and shows some very strong design ele- important it is, especially in hospitality. textiles to make it feel cosy. ● ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 23 ARCHITECT’S FOCUS The tennis centre is part of a regeneration project for Madrid DOMINIQUE ALL PHOTOS: © GEORGES FESSY / DPA / ADAGP. PERRAULT The Madrid Olympic Tennis Centre has been described as one of the world’s most advanced tennis facilities. Dominique Perrault tells us more Dominique Perrault’s metal mesh walls have become his trademark What is the background to the and Pool in Berlin. It is made from a mix of metals including Madrid Olympic Tennis Centre? steel, aluminium, copper and bronze. The centre, otherwise known as La Caja Magica, was part of a wider project to regenerate the area around the Manzanares What was your inspiration? river in Madrid. It is a brownfi eld site which is quite ugly and has My inspiration for La Caja Magica came from the existing land- some social problems. The idea was to improve the quality of scape and the environment. I tried to introduce a new building the district with a huge new park, public spaces and a signifi - that would change the quality of the landscape and would fi t cant new building. A new highway means that traffi c has been within the context of its surroundings. rerouted from the banks of the river and the project will see the area benefi t from a new metro station. What was your favourite part of the design? The roof. When you see it moving it is totally crazy and very What was your brief for the tennis centre? spectacular. I think it’s quite emotional for the public to see. La Caja Magica is central to the regeneration strategy. It is not When you are sitting in the main stadium and the roof lifts up or only a tennis stadium, but also a multipurpose venue. It houses slides open and the sky appears, it’s very, very impressive. three stadiums [seating approximately 12,500, 3,500 and 2,500 people] with three separate retractable roofs. These stadiums What was the biggest challenge of the project? can host tennis matches, but also other sports events, fashion Getting it fi nished! It was a really big project. shows, theatre, circus and music concerts. With the retractable roofs the venue is very fl exible; it means the stadiums can be What impact has the project had on the area? used during the day, at night and in any weather. The idea was to introduce a landscape – the area just featured The retractable roofs open like the lid of a box – hence the social housing and some warehouses. It was a bit of a ‘nothing’ name La Caja Magica (the Magic Box). They can also slide area. Architecture is being used as a tool to transform the qual- open, making the stadiums totally open air. ity of this area of Madrid. The idea is to develop the relationship between the public and private spaces there. La Caja Magica is Can you describe the design? a key part of this transformation. The shape is very simple – it’s a rectangular box. However it doesn’t have walls like a normal building; instead it has a kind of How did you get involved in the mesh curtain made from a metal fabric. This curtain allows you Octopus project in Salerne, Italy? to feel the fresh air and see the light from outside, but it acts as The Octopus is a renewal project for Salerne Quarry. The client, a fi lter against the sun, rain and wind. The idea was to wrap the Cave Salernitane SPA, is a private construction company which three stadiums with this metal curtain. At night the building is spotted the potential for the disused quarry. illuminated and the inside of the stadiums can be seen. The client went to the Mayor and asked what the city was The metal mesh is an idea I developed for the French National planning to do with the site. The Mayor suggested that they Library in Paris. I also used it to cover the Olympic Velodrome should fi nd an architect and work with them to come up with a 24 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 MADRID OLYMPIC TENNIS CENTRE The main court has a seating capacity of 12,500 and hosted the Madrid Open THE MADRID OLYMPIC TENNIS CENTRE The Madrid Olympic Tennis Centre 12,000, 5,000 and 3,000 spectators. as restaurants. The buildings are opened in May 2009 in time to host The centre also features 16 outdoor organised around a large artifi cial the Madrid Open. The 100,000sq m courts, fi ve courts with a covered lake. The roofs of the three main centre was built on a former slum area for 350 spectators each, a courts can be opened separately housing area, and features three swimming pool, a tennis school, and allow 27 different opening posi- main tennis courts that can be cov- clubhouse and headquarters for the tions depending on the weather and ered or uncovered with seating for Madrid Tennis Foundation, as well the event the spaces are hosting. proposal for the site. I was already working on the redevelopment of a huge public square – Piazza Garibaldi – in Naples, so the client knew of me and contacted me with a proposal. What would the project offer? The idea, which is at a very early stage, is to create a multifunctional centre for music, culture and enter- tainment. It would include an 8,000-seater theatre, with restaurants, bars, educational centres, dance and music schools also included in the complex. A hotel would also be built nearby. Can you describe your design? The vision is to develop an octopus shape, with the Concept designs for the Octopus in Italy ‘tentacles’ acting as a connection between the build- ing and the mountain that it sits on. The core of the building will What other leisure projects are contain the main theatre, with several wings (or tentacles) lead- you currently working on? ing out to the mountain outside. We’re working on a project to design a new city centre for Sofi a in Bulgaria. [Dominique Perrault won the international compe- What stage is this idea at? tition to design Sofi a’s new centre in April 2009. The fi rm was It’s just a thematic idea at the moment – it’s a concept designed selected from a group of six architectural practices including to create input and to kick things off. Zaha Hadid and Norman Foster]. ● ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 25 HOTSEAT JAMES CAAN & BEN SILCOX Launched by ex LA Fitness sales man- ager Ben Silcox and Dragon’s Den’s James Caan, nuyuu fi tness is the latest low cost gym chain to hit the UK. Caan and Silcox explain what sets the chain apart How was the idea for nuyuu born? James Caan, how did you get involved with nuyuu? Silcox: We wanted to fi nd a health club model that would work Caan: I was approached by Ben, who was working for LA in the UK, but that was a bit different – the industry hasn’t Fitness. He’d seen me on Dragons’ Den and approached me changed a huge amount over the last 15 years in terms of what through my private equity company, Hamilton Bradshaw. goes into a club and how it’s paid for – and that could start to In the current economic climate, a membership fee of £45 is segment the market more. When we were researching our idea, just not as attractive as it used to be. The idea is therefore to the pay-as-you-go budget health club model was emerging in try and create a product that gives quality and delivers a high the US and Europe, which was very topical. degree of service at a price that works for both the operator and We also wanted to explore how we could grow a busi- the consumer. We’re in a recession, yet we know the demand ness relatively quickly but with the least amount of capital and for health clubs exists. Ben was confi dent and we thought he expenditure. The easiest way to do that was to pick up existing had the right background and experience. He also put forward health clubs from other operators. a substantial amount of his own money. Ben understands the Those two ideas work well together – if an existing site hasn’t business, has an incredible amount of passion, and the idea worked for one of the mid-market operators, the budget club was good. He ticked all of our boxes. model can often succeed in that same location – and it was by marrying the two that we came up with the nuyuu model. What does nuyuu offer? Silcox: It’s a value for money proposition. We’re not aiming for the lowest end of the market, though – the £10 a month con- cept. We’re going for the look and feel of a mid-market club, but one where you don’t pay for facilities you wouldn’t use anyway. Caan: A lot of clubs are throwing in the kitchen sink – lots of benefi ts and services which are not necessarily what the con- sumer really wants. We need to provide a service that focuses on consumers’ actual needs, and our long-term strategy isn’t necessarily to have wet clubs. We think there’s a market for dry clubs where people just come in, do their workout and leave, and where they don’t have to pay for all the extra bells and whistles. We charge between £19.99 and £24.99 a month. How can you charge such low fees? Caan: It’s a bit like the easyJet model. You fl y on a fi rst-class Silcox and Caan are aiming to open plane and have a safe journey, but you pay only for the journey. 15 nuyuu gyms within two years We’re buying high-quality existing clubs in prime locations, and 50 within fi ve years but ours is a better value offering. Rather than having, for exam- 26 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 ABOUT NUYUU Nuyuu is a new fi tness club The chain offers membership chain launched in partner- from £19.99 a month based on ship between businessman a 12 month contract, or £24.99 James Caan and former LA a month for members who Fitness national sales man- choose to sign up on a non-con- ager Ben Silcox. tract basis. Nuyuu fi tness clubs Nuyuu launched with three will offer customers modern clubs – in Slough, Berkshire; facilities with a range of cv and Livingston, Scotland; and East resistance machines equipped Grinstead in East Sussex – in by Precor, as well as Vibrogym October 2009. These clubs, systems, which are designed to which were acquired from accelerate weight loss. LA Fitness, were rebranded, Caan and Silcox aim to grow years. They are currently look- cleaned and fi tted with new the chain to 15 clubs within ing for properties of between equipment before relaunching. two years, and 50 within fi ve 10,000sq ft – 25,000sq ft. ple, 1,500 members paying £50 a month, we think it’s better nuyuu has three basic principles: cleanliness, friendliness to have 5,000 members paying £20 a month. People like going and member results. If we can provide real friendliness and real to places where there’s a buzz and where they can meet other cleanliness, that will help address the intimidation barrier. And if people. We believe that, by creating a better value proposition we can provide a price point that lets people try our gym with- and attracting more members, we’ll create a better atmosphere out feeling they have to sign up for a £600, 12-month contract, and a better environment. Everybody wins. they’re more likely to give it a go. Who is nuyuu aimed at? Is it a good time to launch a new business? Silcox: We’re targeting two distinct groups of people. Firstly the Caan: The current market conditions play right into our strat- switchers – people who’ve been members of a gym for a while egy: the market is very volatile, so sites are more available than and are not happy with the service they’ve received or the fact they would otherwise be. In addition, everyone’s looking at what that they’ve been paying for a large chunk of the facility they they’re spending at the moment, asking themselves: ‘Is this don’t use. The other group comprises people who have never something I really need? Can I justify this?’ At £45 a month, a been members of a gym before, either because they feel intimi- health club membership might be too much; at £20 a month, it dated by gyms or because of the price. might just make more sense. ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 27 HOTSEAT “My father said observe the masses and do the opposite. I’ve never found that the pot of gold lies where the herd is. It generally lies in the opposite direction, where the least number of people go” Caan What changes have you made to the LA Fitness clubs you acquired? Silcox: We’ve rebranded them and installed around £850,000-worth of new kit into the three sites. The swimming pools at two of the sites were decom- missioned and we made some structural changes to free up space. We also gave the clubs a really deep clean from top to bottom, scrubbing eve- rything and getting them looking like they haven’t looked for quite some time. People aren’t looking to be able to eat their dinner off the fl oor, but they are looking for the kind of cleanliness you get at home. That’s all we’re trying to do. The starting point is to get our clubs to a level of cleanliness we can then maintain. New Precor When will the next sites be announced? equipment has Silcox: We’re very hopeful that two more sites will be online by You said you’d decommission been installed January 2010, and we have a further 15 sites in the pipeline. the pools at all three clubs, but across the recently announced the pool at East three sites in What are you looking for from potential sites? Grinstead would remain. Why? Scotland, East Silcox: We’re looking for existing clubs that aren’t working – Silcox: We have a core model, but every Sussex and empty shells that we can open clubs within. We’d also buy land facility needs to be localised to its partic- Berkshire and build a club if we found the right site. ular market. In East Grinstead, there was Caan: I think there’s a recognition that, in certain demo- an overwhelming desire for the pool to stay, particularly from the graphic locations, the existing health club model doesn’t work over-50s. We’ve listened to that, have fi gured out a way to make any more, and we’ve already been approached by other opera- it work and have made a commitment to the members that we’ll tors who have sites they feel might be of interest to us. keep the pool open for one more year. It’s quid pro quo: if we do If anyone else has clubs they think would work better under our part and they do theirs, we’ll be able to keep it open. our model, I’d be delighted to speak to them, as it could be a They are going to pay £35 for access to everything in the win-win situation for both parties. club, including the pool, which is still £2.50 less than LA Fitness was charging. We’re not making money on the pool – we just What will be the biggest challenge of this project? want to try and cover our costs in running it. Caan: Securing the right sites. We’re not setting up the clubs from scratch – we’re going to be acquiring existing facilities, so What feedback have you been getting from the challenge will be getting the right facilities in the right loca- the previous LA Fitness members? tions that match our proposition. That’s never going to be easy. Silcox: The vast majority of feedback has been incredibly posi- tive. These businesses weren’t getting much time, attention or What has been the biggest challenge of your career? money spent on them and the members like the idea of people Caan: Launching my fi rst business Alexander Mann. I was coming in and investing in their club. 21, with no experience, no education, no money and no track A percentage of members are unhappy because it’s change. record. To launch a business that is now turning over nearly We’re not a charity though, and we’re not trying to be all things £400m a year from scratch was quite a challenge. to all men. It’s about engaging with members and trying to please as many people as possible. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Caan: It came from my father, who said: “Observe the masses You aim to open 15 gyms in two years, and 50 and do the opposite.” When it comes to real estate, people in in fi ve. Is there room in the market for this? the UK tend to operate with a herd mentality. I’ve never found Caan: Absolutely. A value proposition makes sense across the that the pot of gold lies where the herd is. It generally lies in the country right now. We have no doubt of that whatsoever. opposite direction – where the least number of people go. ● 28 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 PROFILE CCAMILLERAMILLERI The Center Parcs development director tells Magali Robathan about the frustrations of getting planning permission to build a new village at Woburn, the innovations he’s working on and the plans for a sixth site in Ireland arrive early to meet Don Camilleri, are visiting from Malta, and he couldn’t development director for Center be more excited if he was a member of I Parcs. It’s 9.30am, and in the main the public visiting for the fi rst time. He plaza at Center Parcs Longleat tells me about the “fantastic” Indian meal Forest Village the queue for the pool – they had the night before, describes which opens at 10am – is already huge. their lodge in detail and rubs his hands The bowling alley is bustling with life and together at the prospect of spending the outside the forest paths are busy with afternoon in the Aqua Sana spa. families cycling across the site. The second thing I notice is how much At a time when the UK is experienc- he uses the word ‘challenge’. When I ask ing the worst recession since the 1930s, what drives him, he tells me he loves a Center Parcs is thriving. “We’ve actually challenge. This is probably a good thing. increased occupancy during the credit From the epic battle to win planning per- crunch,” says Camilleri with satisfaction. mission for the company’s fi fth UK park “Occupancy has been 96 per cent for the in Warren Wood near Woburn to changes last 12 months; the year pre-recession, of ownership and the largest capital our occupancy levels were 93.4 per cent.” investment programme in the company’s The fi rst thing I notice about Camilleri history, it’s been a challenging few years. is his enthusiasm. He is absolutely pas- sionate about his job and about Center A LONG ROAD Parcs. When I meet him, he is staying at We turn fi rst to the new village which Longleat Forest with some friends who is being built at Woburn. Camilleri has worked for Center Parcs since 1986. His role as development director covers all aspects of creating a new park, from “A f ter fi ve gruelling years, we’ve fi nally fi nding the site to handing the completed got planning permission, but it has cost us park over to the operations director. The last one he opened was Longleat, in £8m. How many businesses are going to be 1994, and the whole park was designed, attracted to invest in Britain if, instead of developed and opened in four years. Plans for Woburn were announced fi ve getting help, you get this kind of frustration?” years ago, and the company is still two years away from starting construction. “It’s a shame because by now Woburn should be up and trading,” says Camilleri. “After fi ve gruelling years, we’ve fi nally got planning permission, but it’s been an incredibly frustrating experience.” The initial planning application for the Woburn site was rejected in 2006 by Mid Bedfordshire District Council on the grounds that it wasn’t appropri- ate for green belt land. The Department for Communities and Local Government overturned this decision in September 2007 and awarded outline planning permission, dependent on a list of condi- tions including the diversion of two public rights of way. This took almost two more years, but in May 2009 Center Parcs fi nally received confi rmation of orders of the diversion of the rights of way. “I’m not trying to say that we shouldn’t have been challenged – it’s green belt land and we respect that, and we respect An artist’s impression of the Woburn village, set to open in 2013 the fact we’ve had to prove why we 30 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 should be allowed to build on it,” Camilleri promises major new of political upheaval, making fi nding says Camilleri. “But it has cost us a innovations for Woburn’s subtropical – and keeping – a job extremely dif- lot of money. By the time we put the swimming paradise. The pool is a fi cult. He moved to London aged 22, fi rst spade in the ground to actually key part of Center Parcs’ offer where his father found him a room start building the village, we will have in a nuns’ convent. “I immediately parted with more than £8m. started working on a plan to get out “It’s important that the powers that be in the pool. We have a team researching of there,” he laughs. He quickly found refl ect on this if Britain wants to be suc- the world’s best examples to introduce in work with engineering practice Arup. cessful. How many businesses will be our subtropical swimming paradise. We’d His early years with Arup saw him work attracted to invest if, instead of getting like to think we can bring in some very on the Pompidou Centre in Paris before help, you get this kind of frustration?” signifi cant attractions within the pool.” being sent to Iran where he remained Other new ideas include a travel pack- until the 1979 revolution meant he had LOOKING AHEAD age to encourage people to journey by to fl ee the country with his family. Next Center Parcs has now set a target date public transport. This is part of Center came an 18-month stint in Libya, fol- of early 2012 to start construction on Parcs’ green travel policy. “We have an lowed by four years in Nigeria where he Woburn, and is aiming to open the new idea of working with local train providers really found his feet. park in the summer of 2013. When it so that we have a presence at London’s “This period was when my engineer- launches, the new village will feature 700 St Pancras station and can offer a seam- ing capabilities were stretched to the forest villas, a 75-bed hotel and spa with less journey to our park,” says Camilleri. limit,” he says. “I spent many nights dur- 12 associated spa suites and two main “You’d pay for the travel as part of your ing monsoons and storms watching the centres including indoor sports, a swim- stay, check in at the station and we’ll buildings I’d designed in case they fell ming pool, restaurants and shops. It will provide an added value package – pos- down! I was still nervous about trusting also include outdoor sports, leisure facili- sibly an upgrade to fi rst class travel and myself and my designs.” ties, a nature centre and a lake. discounted cycle hire. We’ll pick you up Camilleri and his family moved back Part of Camilleri’s remit is to ensure from Flitwick station and take your bags to the UK in 1984, and Arup asked him that Center Parcs is constantly innovat- to your lodge while you start enjoying to open a Leeds offi ce. At the same ing, and he promises several exciting your holiday. You could leave work at time, Dutch holiday company Sporthuis new additions at the Woburn village. 5pm on Friday, and by 7pm you could be Centrum approached Arup for help in These will include the 12 spa suites, in our spa. What a way to escape.” translating its forest holiday village con- allowing the company to expand its spa cept for the English market. offer. “This will allow people to come for EARLY YEARS Camilleri was put in charge of creating a dedicated spa break and really pam- Camilleri’s early career was fi lled with the company’s fi rst UK park in Sherwood per themselves,” he says. “Woburn will adventure. He graduated in civil engi- Forest, Nottinghamshire, with the idea also feature some fantastic new ideas neering in 1971 in Malta during a time that once it was fi nished he’d pass it over ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 31 PROFILE “We are looking at potential sites in Ireland for village number six. England, Scotland and Wales couldn’t support another site of this dimension. We doubt very much there will be another park of this size here” to someone else to run and get on with The company has gone through sev- foreign holidays for UK breaks. “Our vil- opening his Leeds offi ce for Ove Arup. It eral changes of ownership and was lages were sparkling with new products, didn’t work out that way, however. The fl oated on AIM in 2003, before moving new ideas and new accommodations. management at Sporthuis Centrum were to a main stock market listing in 2005. In We were ready,” says Camilleri. so impressed with Camilleri that they 2006 private equity fi rm the Blackstone This fortuitous timing has been great asked him to join the UK team to start up Group acquired the operations of Center for Center Parcs, with the recession Center Parcs in the UK. Parcs for £265m, and immediately put a attracting a whole new kind of customer “The Dutch company was a very excit- major investment strategy in place. – those that previously spent their short ing operation,” says Camilleri. “I liked their “We’ve fl ourished under Blackstone,” breaks abroad and were now having style; their directness. They had a very says Camilleri. “They’ve invested signifi - to look to the UK instead. “These peo- effective way of working. The thing that cant money and have really challenged ple used to say ‘Center Parcs is not for really caught me, though, was the offer us. They very quickly saw the areas we us’”, says Camilleri. “These Doubting itself. Center Parcs is a place for peo- could improve on. They focused us on Thomases have given us a try and guess ple – particularly families – to get together those areas and made the funds availa- what? They’re converted, and they are and do as little or as much as they want. ble for us to make improvements.” bringing more of their friends in too.” People can just come and breathe the fresh air of the forest if that’s what they NEW INVESTMENT EYEING UP IRELAND want. It’s a very simple escape from city After acquiring Center Parcs, Blackstone I ask Camilleri about plans for a further life. Piet Dirksen, [who founded Center spent £825m buying back the property site in Ireland. He says it’s too early to Parcs], had a moment of genius when he estate which had been sold to Sun Capital talk about them in any depth, but does came up with the concept in 1966.” in a sale and leaseback deal in 2002. confi rm that “we are looking at poten- The Sherwood Forest site, which Blackstone then spent £150m expanding tial sites in Ireland for village number six,” opened in 1987, was followed by and updating the accommodation at the and adds that the site would need to be Elvedon Forest in 1989. Longleat Forest four villages, revamping the food and bev- smaller than the existing parks. Would Village opened in 1994 and in 2001 the erage offer and adding new facilities. they need to wait until Woburn is up and Oasis Holiday Village near Penrith was This was completed in August 2008, running to make a move with this Irish taken over by Center Parcs from Rank just before the global fi nancial meltdown site? He shakes his head, saying: “I don’t and renamed Whinfell Forest. began and Britons began swapping their think so. Ireland can potentially stand on its own two feet with a catchment of six million people plus tourists.” As for the UK, the thinking is that cov- erage is probably complete. “England, Wales and Scotland couldn’t support another site of this dimension. We’d need to open Woburn and let it settle, but we doubt very much there will be another Center Parcs of this size here.” THE ENVIRONMENT Center Parcs is well known for its com- mitment to the environment. The company has been granted ISO 14001 certifi cation for its environmental man- agement system – a guarantee of a The village square is at the heart of each Center Parcs site responsible environmental performance. CENTER PARCS’ HISTORY 1968 1987 1989 2001 2002 2003 PHOTO: ISTOCK.COM/©BORUT TRDINA PHOTO: First Center The concept Elveden Center Parcs The Oasis The busi- Parcs village of the “villa Forest opens UK is sold Holiday Village ness is fl oated opens at De in the forest” in Suffolk and to venture near Penrith is on AIM Lommerbergen fi nds its way the British capitalists taken over by (Alternative in Holland to the UK with brewers Deutsche Center Parcs Investment the opening and retail- Bank Capital UK and re- Market) of Sherwood ers Scottish Partners named Center Forest in & Newcastle Parcs Whinfell Nottingham- become the Forest shire new owners 32 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital When I interview Camilleri, the com- Center Parcs’ green travel policy duce to the new village to make it as pany has also just been awarded could see discounts on cycle hire for green as possible, including ground The 2009 Green Business Award for guests arriving via public transport source heat pumps, biomass boiler Biodiversity Protection, which cele- systems and better insulation. brates initiatives by UK businesses “We are actually questioning for achieving environmental sustainabil- In the new lodges, water saving whether we should use gas again in our ity. This recognises the company’s efforts devices, underfl oor heating, energy next village,” he says. “We could use to protect the natural environment and effi cient light bulbs and intelligent ther- electricity instead, and maybe we could wildlife at its sites by the conservation mostats have been installed. The villages’ generate that electricity ourselves.” rangers and ground services teams. vehicle fl eets are being replaced with The interview draws to a close, but as “We’ve always been a very sound envi- greener vehicles and programmes are in Camilleri walks me to my taxi he is still ronmental company,” says Camilleri. place to limit landfi ll waste, recycle more proudly pointing out new developments “The woodlands we choose are all com- and cut energy and water usage. in the village and sharing his ideas. mercial woodlands. We turn them With the Woburn site, Center Parcs I comment on his passion for his job around; open them up selectively, intro- has the opportunity to really push the and he looks at me as though I’m mad. duce water features and bring the boundaries. Camilleri reels off a list of “Well of course,” he says. “If you don’t indigenous woodland back.” “potential ingredients” they could intro- have passion, what’s the point?” ● 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Center Parcs Private equity Unprecedented As part of continued Phase 3 of the moves to main fi rm The investment pro- investment at Center accommodation stock market Blackstone gramme begins Parcs every single bed refurbishment starts listing Group acquires with over £100m on the four villages is Center Parcs spent on accommo- replaced as well as Planning permis- dation, restaurants the entire bike fl eet sion is awarded for and retail outlets Center Parcs’ fi fth Celebrity Chef village in Warren Outline plan- Aldo Zilli opens the Wood near Woburn ning permission is fi rst Zilli Café in gained for 5th UK Longleat’s Aqua Sana village near Woburn Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 33 BURNING QUESTION Should young children be banned from touching farm animals? Following the outbreak of E.coli 0157 last summer, which saw 12 children hospitalised and several farm attractions closed, we ask whether calls for youngsters to be banned from touching animals are overzealous, or common sense On 12 September 2009, Godstone Farm in Surrey was ordered tion visitor numbers are down and debate is raging over whether to close by the Health Protection Agency following an outbreak guidelines on children’s contact with animals need to be changed of E.coli 0157, which led to severe illness in a number of visi- ready for next season. An independent investigation into the tors. By October, there were 93 confi rmed cases linked to the outbreak is being led by George Griffi n, professor of infectious farm, and 12 children were hospitalised as a result of the out- diseases and medicine at St George’s, University of London. break. Several other farms closed as a precautionary measure. So, are the risks being exagerated or are children’s lives being The farms have all now reopened and the children hospitalised put in danger? Should they be banned from touching animals, as a result of the bug have all been sent home, but farm attrac- or just supervised more closely? We ask the experts y view is that, for children Professor Hugh Pennington under the age of five, touch- Emeritus professor of bacteriology Ming farm animals is a risk Aberdeen University not worth taking. Young children are more likely to get E.coli 0157 and are more likely to develop serious compli- cations if they do get infected. called hemolytic uremic syndrome risk too far. It’s down to the operators E.coli 0157 is quite common in farm (HUS). This can cause kidney failure, of the farm attraction businesses to fol- animals; roughly 10 per cent of cat- brain damage, mini strokes and cardiac low the guidelines properly. tle, sheep and goats carry the bug and complications, which can be fatal. Operators need to design the farm there’s no way of knowing whether Once you’re infected there’s very lit- attractions so that very young chil- they’re carrying it or not. tle you can do – it’s just the luck of dren don’t come into contact with E.coli Young children are more likely than the draw whether you develop seri- 0157. Farms need to have information older people to become infected with ous complications or not. And a tiny on display for parents – it’s about good E.coli 0157 as a result of contact with number of microbes can be enough to signage, good hand washing facilities animals, as they tend to put their fi n- set off a potentially lethal infection. and good farm design. They should be gers in their mouths and it’s harder to That’s why prevention is so important. designed, for example, so that in order ensure they wash their hands prop- I’m very unhappy about young chil- to reach the café or restaurant visitors erly. Infection can cause a complication dren touching farm animals. It’s just a are obliged to pass handbasins. he E.coli outbreak was unset- IAN PIGOTT tling news for anyone involved Farmer and founder Twith hosting farm visits. Open Farms Sunday One must not be fl ippant about the seriousness of E.coli. But neither can we allow knee jerk legislation to undo all our good work. Inevitably, Farms and farm attractions would once the Qualifi cations, Curriculum the Health Protection Agency and the again appear unwelcoming to visitors. Development Agency on how farming Health and Safety Executive will be Aside from the thousands of children can help shape the curriculum, because pressured to amend current guide- and parents that visit farm attractions they can see the merits of farm educa- lines for farm visits to mitigate risk, but each year, around one million children tion and visits to farms these must be tempered. Whispers that made a school visit to a farm in 2009. I would hate to see this E.coli epi- only children over fi ve years should This is three times more than a decade sode dampen farmer’s enthusiasm for be allowed to visit farms, for example, ago and represents nearly a sixth of all welcoming visitors or indeed the pub- would appear overzealous. school children – among the best pupil lic’s appetite for visiting farms. Heavy-handed legislation, imposing to farm visit ratios in the world. Of course the ramifi cations will segregation of animals in a sterile envi- Seven years ago farming was being present a challenge. But each day UK ronment, will re-awaken the ‘them and written out of the school curriculum. farmers get closer to consumers. Now us/town and country’ divide we have Today, FACE (Farming And Countryside is not the time to shut our gates. been working so tirelessly to eradicate. Education) is being consulted by With thanks to Farmers Weekly 34 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 FAN members have been BARRY DAVIES affected by the E.coli out- Treasurer Nbreak; more so in the south National Farm Attrations Network than the north as the major outbreak was at Godstone Farm in Surrey. Visitor attendances in the south- ern county areas have been down by been supportive to NFAN members. them to get rid of the ruminants.” Since an estimated 10 per cent. Having said NFAN does not consider the offi cial Pennington made his comments, hun- that, attendances have only dropped HSE guidance needs to be changed; dreds of members of the public have to the levels they were at in 2006/2007. AIS23 is very much ‘fi t for purpose’. emailed the BBC News website, with 2008 was a bumper year for country- Ill-health following a visit to an open the majority expressing opposition to a side attractions and 2009 was a good farm is unusual, even among children, ban on the petting of animals. year up until September. and these risks need to be balanced To stop toddlers from being able to The NFAN has had encouraging dis- against the benefi ts for a child’s edu- interact with animals is utter madness. cussions with the Health and Safety cation and development that arise from What is required instead are facili- Executive (HSE), which produces the contact with animals. ties where children handling animals guidelines AIS23 Avoiding Ill-Health on Professor Hugh Pennington has are strictly regulated, with paren- Open Farms, and with the regulatory said: “The safest way for these farms tal supervision, and there are always body LACORS. Both organisations have [attractions] to proceed would be for handwashing facilities available. e’ve never had any inci- JOSEPH MANNING dents of E.coli here at Old Owner WMacdonald’s Farm, but Old MacDonald’s Farm, Essex since the outbreak at Godstone Farm we have seen visitor numbers drop. When the outbreak fi rst happened our visitor numbers dropped by around – people who suddenly want to open animals. I don’t think it should be a 50 per cent. They have been picking up their farm up, but don’t have much of hands-on experience without supervi- slowly but are still down on what they an idea about dealing with the public. sion, but I think that as long as children would normally be at this time of year. This affects the good operators as we are supervised they should be allowed We’ve made a few changes: we’ve all get tarred with the same brush. to see the animals from the fence line. put in more hand washing facilities, I think it would be a shame if under We operate a traffi c light system, have put up more signs (with pictures fi ves were banned from touching ani- which we put in about three years ago. for the children) and have moved our mals [as Professor Pennington has We have big signs at the entrance and picnic areas away from the animals. suggested] because it’s a natural thing throughout the farm explaining how it I’m satisfi ed with the standards for children to want to get up close to works: green shows children what they we’ve got in place, but some of the the animals. It’s part of the experience. can touch, amber shows they need smaller operators are not up to scratch If parents are sensible they will to be supervised by parents, and red and maybe need to be better regulated. make sure their children’s hands are shows what they can’t touch. It’s very There are a lot of cowboys out there clean after coming in contact with the simple and it really does work.● ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 35 BUSINESS ANALYSIS Building Butlins At Butlins’ new Ocean Hotel and Spa, men watch football while having a massage and the lifts act as mini discos. Matthew Goodman fi nds out how Butlins is branching out while staying true to its market mong the litany of problems The Ocean is not the fi rst hotel that Butlins has built. In 2005, that company bosses have the group opened the 160-room Shoreline Hotel, also at Bognor, A to face, coping with strong in response to guests’ demands for accommodation that demand is probably the one afforded a sea view – prior to that, all the existing rooms faced they mind the least. It’s a lot less worri- inwards. As well as meeting this particular need, an added some having to turn trade away than deal bonus was that the new hotel also helped attract guests who with not having enough in the fi rst place. had not previously taken a holiday with Butlins. Of the visitors But for Richard Bates, Butlins’ manag- who stayed at the Shoreline Hotel in its debut year, 62 per cent ing director, such issues cause no end of were fi rst-time users of the brand. stress as well as some regret. There’s no sign of complacency Within a year of opening, occupancy levels were near to their at a beloved British institution approaching its 75th anniversary. maximum, prompting the company to begin thinking about a It is just a few months since Bates presided over the opening second such project. The initial design sketches for the Ocean of the Ocean Hotel and Spa at Butlins’ operation in Bognor on were put together in July 2006. It marked an opportunity to cor- England’s south coast, yet, despite meeting its annual target by rect a few of the issues with the Shoreline; for example, it was the end of October and already taking £1m-worth of bookings decided the new building would have a larger reception and for 2010, Bates claims there is still room for improvement. lobby area to cope with the number of guests arriving simulta- “Sometimes we don’t quite measure up,” he says. “If we were neously – a feature of Butlins. But to make the follow-up hotel going to change one thing, I would have built more treatment stand out, it was also decided that it should have a spa. rooms in the spa. We built 10, and there should have been 20.” Such a move would seem sensible. Recent data published by market research company Mintel shows that 14.6m adults took INVESTING IN THE BRAND part in some form of ‘health and wellness’ activity while on holi- The Ocean Hotel and Spa is the latest manifestation of a £100m day, with spa treatments accounting for the vast majority. And investment programme at Butlins over the past six years; just while such breaks form a relatively niche market, there is a size- over half the money has been spent on adding to and improving able chunk of the population who have never been on a spa the room stock at the company’s three resorts. break or a ‘wellness holiday’ who could be tempted to do so. Facilities in the spa include a snow cave (pictured), disco showers and a crystal steam room 36 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 The Ocean Spa (above) It was important uses bright colours and fun to Butlins to operate treatments to the spa itself rather ensure it fi ts in with the Butlins than outsourcing the ethos. The £20m operation to a third Ocean Hotel party as it’s felt that (left) opened in August 2009 outsiders don’t fully Cinema chains such as Cineworld (above) are investing comprehend what in upgrading their screens to make them 3D cap makes the brand tick A SPA WITH PERSONALITY points out. He argues that Butlins’ success partly stems from Butlins had already dabbled in the spa market – its site in its efforts to deliver precisely what customers expect. “We do Skegness in Lincolnshire had been successfully running a spa [these projects] with a high degree of confi dence,” says Bates. for some years. “It’s absolutely the right thing for Butlins,” said Customers have indicated what they want from a Butlins Bates. The Skegness spa has steadily expanded since its 2002 hotel. As well as the sea view, they demand everything from air- opening; today it has 14 treatment rooms. conditioning to fl oor-to-ceiling windows. “It makes it easy for us Bates acknowledges that moving into the spa market is not a when we sit down with the designers,” he says. natural move for Butlins, however. “We recognise that we’re not Like the spa, the hotel has been marked with the Butlins in the spa business,” he notes, “and it’s unlikely we’d build the stamp, and includes disco lifts complete with lighting and tunes. most luxurious spa in the country.” Nevertheless, projects still have to be fi nancially attractive. That said, it is something that guests embrace and so the Butlins tends to expect such capital investments to pay for company has endeavoured to stamp its treatment rooms themselves over somewhere between fi ve and seven years. with the Butlins personality. At the Ocean Spa in Bognor, for example, a deep tissue massage for men has been dubbed LOOKING AHEAD the Premier League massage and recipients can watch foot- Emboldened by the success of the Shoreline and Ocean hotels, age from the 1966 World Cup fi nal while they’re being treated. there are a number of further projects in the pipeline. A third Another treatment involves lying on a giant marshmallow. It was hotel has been pencilled in for Bognor, while Butlins Skegness also important to the company that it run the spa itself rather and Minehead may also have hotels added. than outsource the operation to a third party, because of the It may be some time, however, before Butlins embarks on style of the venue. It is felt within Butlins that outsiders do not a campaign to begin opening standalone hotels or spas in fully comprehend what makes the brand tick. resort towns where it currently lacks a presence. Partly, this Having opened in August, at a cost of £20m, the Ocean Hotel is because Bates is acutely aware of history; Billy Butlin once and Spa has been “hugely successful”, surpassing the compa- attempted to open a resort in the Caribbean but it failed: he ny’s initial expectations, says Bates. wants to see the group survive for its next 75 years. In part, the timing of the opening has been fortuitous, rid- Arguably a more important consideration is that there is too ing the ‘staycation’ trend that has seen many holidaymakers much work that needs doing on the company’s existing trio of attempt to shrug off the double whammy of higher air fares and resorts without having to get distracted by other projects. It the strong euro by staying in the UK for their annual break. seems that despite its success, Butlins’ management will con- Another factor is of the group’s own making. Bates says he tinue to focus on how to keep it up. ● spends long periods sitting in on focus groups, particularly with mothers – “it’s the mums who book the family holiday”, he Matthew Goodman is a journalist with The Sunday Times ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 37 BIG AMBITIONS PARADISE FOUND ristine beaches, lush olive groves, rugged A E1bn, 10 million square metre luxury holiday and spa P mountains and the resort is aiming to change the face of Greek tourism. backdrop of a sea so blue it takes your breath Magali Robathan fi nds out what Costa Navarino will away. This is the Messinian offer, and hears how its founder plans to create the Peninsula, in the Peloponnese area of Greece, and it’s world’s fi rst 100 per cent emission free resort easy to see why Vassilis Constantakopoulos, founder of Athens-based developer Temes SA laws protecting the environment and Bay – are due to open in May 2010 and (Tourist Enterprises of Messinia), is so people are much more aware. 2012 respectively. passionate about his homeland. “Costa Navarino and other invest- Navarino Dunes will cover 1,300sq m Constantakopoulos has spent the past ments like it will bring about big changes. and will feature a 4,000sq m standalone two decades buying land in order to turn It is up to us to exploit those changes in spa and thalassotherapy centre, two his vision for Costa Navarino – a mas- way that will maximize the benefi ts and hotel developments by Starwood Hotels sive, sustainable, upscale holiday resort minimise the negative effects. The policy and Resorts – The Romanos and The – into reality. Costa Navarino is a truly of making easy profi ts has brought about Westin – a signature 18 hole golf course, ambitious project. A E1bn resort covering the crisis we are now experiencing.” a private beach and a central entertain- more than 10 million sq m, it will feature Constantakopoulos has made his for- ment and shopping village. 3,000 hotel rooms and suites, seven golf tune in the shipping industry, and is The Romanos, a Luxury Collection courses, six thalassotherapy centres and founder and president of the Costamere hotel, will feature 321 rooms and a range spas, a marina and conference facilities. Shipping Company. of restaurants and bars. The 445 room What’s more, Constantakopoulos So far Starwood Hotels and Resorts Westin, meanwhile, will feature four spe- has pledged that Costa Navarino will and Banyan Tree have signed up to open ciality restaurants and a range of bars. be the fi rst 100 per cent emission-free hotels and a spa within the development, Both hotels offer low-rise villa style resort in the world, and will lead the way while Troon Golf will be operating the fi rst accommodation and use traditional in a new era of more sustainable tour- two signature golf courses. Greek architecture as inspiration. They ism for Greece. “Messinia – and most will share a central village with a tradi- of the Peloponnese– has been lucky not OPENING IN STAGES tional Greek amphitheatre, an open air to succumb to the anarchic develop- Costa Navarino will eventually consist cinema, shops, restaurants and tavernas, ment seen elsewhere [in Greece],” says of four separate resorts. The fi rst two and the resort will also feature a 2,000 Constantakopoulos. “Today there are resorts – Navarino Dunes and Navarino capacity conference centre. Costa Navarino will offer visitors spectacular views of the Ionian sea 38 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 The design of the lobby allows the natural surroundings to take centre stage, and is inspired by traditional Greek architecture “The vision is a destination that enables guests to explore the natural beauty, history and traditions of the area while helping Messinians stay in their homeland” The standalone 4,000sq m spa, which being designed by Robert Trent Jones II A YEAR ROUND DESTINATION also opens in May 2010, features kini- and will be operated by Troon Golf. One of the problems faced by the Greek siotherapy, thalassotherapy and fl oating The Banyan Tree Costa Navarino – tourism industry is the seasonal nature of pools, indoor and outdoor treatment Banyan Tree’s fi rst hotel in Europe – is its offer, with 70 per cent of tourists visit- areas, and a range of light therapies and due to open in 2012 and will feature 117 ing between May and October. Temes SA heat experiences, including ice-grotto villas with landscaped gardens featuring is determined to ensure Costa Navarino rooms, mist showers and herbal saunas. infi nity pools and outdoor showers. It will will attract visitors throughout the year, It will offer a range of Eastern and Greek feature three restaurants and a Banyan and golf is a key part of this strategy. treatments including therapeutic olive oil Tree Spa with 10 indoor and four outdoor “Golf has become an increasingly treatments ‘based on ancient local prac- individual treatment pavilions, Banyan important part of luxury tourism world- tices inscribed on clay tablets discovered Tree’s signature Rain Mist experience, wide,” says Marina Papatsoni, marketing at the nearby Palace of Nestor’ (the hydrothermal facilities, fi tness training director of Temes SA. “Although there remains of a large Mycenean palace). The rooms and an indoor swimming pool. The are many opportunities to enjoy the spa operator has been signed, but the treatments will be based on traditional sport throughout the Mediterranean, the developer hasn’t yet made an announce- Asian treatments. same cannot be said about Greece. We ment about who it will be. The buildings in Navarino Bay will be decided to change this. The Dunes Golf Course is an 18 hole, ‘earth sheltered’ – meaning they will be “Golf will enhance Costa Navarino’s par 72 course which has been designed embedded in the site’s natural terrain attraction as a year-round destination. In by Bernard Langer in association with with living roofs planted with local plants. many ways, it is the perfect sport for this European Golf Design. The course will be This traditional style design reduces particular area for a number of reasons, managed by Troon Golf and will feature a energy consumption by providing natural not least the climate. Costa Navarino 3,500sq m clubhouse. cooling and insulation. enjoys comparatively mild winters and Just a few miles down the road, The fi nal two resorts, Navarino Hills comfortable summer temperatures on Navarino Bay will cover 1,400sq m and and Navarino Blue, are not yet under account of the seaside location.” will feature two luxury hotels – the fi rst construction and detailed informa- The resort will also offer a range of operated by Banyan Tree and the other tion about what they will offer isn’t yet other year-round outdoor activities operator yet to be announced. It will also available. Temes SA is still looking for including water sports, rock climbing, boast an 18 hole golf course which is operators for these developments. hiking and mountain biking. ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 39 BIG AMBITIONS Costa Navarino & the environment ARCHITECTURE: t The building footprint will be less than 10 per cent of the total land area t Costa Navarino’s design is based on the principles of bio- climatic architecture (the design of buildings working in harmony with their natural environment) t The resort will feature 5,000 square metres of planted roofs and optimal use of nat- ural light and ventilation ENERGY: t Temes SA is waiting for a per- mit from the Greek Regulatory Authority for Energy to develop a prototype 22MW pho- Ornithological Society on a project to upgrade tovoltaic system to generate energy for the resort the nearby River Sellas wetlands t Geothermic equipment will be installed under t The developer has also established a fi re mon- the golf course. This will use geothermal power itoring system to prevent forest fi res. for the cooling and heating of the resort t A cooling system using seawa- WATER: ter is also under construction t Two reservoirs with a total capacity of 850,000 cubic metres have been constructed to use NATURE AND BIODIVERSITY: some of the excess runoff from local rivers t Organic fertilisers are being used for all green areas t Temes has fi nanced a water resource manage- t Use of self sown plants adapted to local terrain ment study with the University of Thessaloniki t A major replanting programme is seeing thou- sands of olive and fruit bearing trees uprooted ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION: and temporarily replanted during construc- t *The Costa Navarino construction project is tion. They are currently being replanted on site certifi ed under the ISO 14001 and EMAS envi- t Temes SA is working with the Hellenic ronmental management systems IMPACT ON LOCAL ECONOMY opportunities in the area, providing sub- reservoirs have been constructed, which Investment in the development stands at stantial motivation, especially for young will store some of the excess run off from around E1bn, not including land costs. people, to remain in their homeland. The local rivers, and the resorts will also use It is being funded by a combination of indirect effect of our development in job recycled water and collected rainwater. equity, debt and government funds. creation is even bigger, since it is esti- A major replanting programme As the largest tourism development mated that for every job within Costa has seen 5,500 native trees uprooted in Greece, Costa Navarino has been Navarino, 0.8 jobs is created outside. and temporarily re-sited, before being debated in parliament with both of the “The vision of Costa Navarino is a des- replanted on site. Organic fertilisers are main political parties voting in favour of tination that enables guests… to explore being used in all green areas and com- the project. The development fi ts well the natural beauty, history and traditions prehensive waste management and into the plan of the Greek government to of Messinia, while at the same time cre- recycling programmes are planned. move the country away from mass tour- ating jobs, supporting education and Temes SA is working with environ- ism towards higher quality tourism. building infrastructure to help Messinians mental organisations including the As for the impact of the devel- stay in their homeland.” Hellenic Ornithological society to pro- opment on the local economy, tect local wildlife. The developer has also Constantakopoulos estimates that 750 THINKING GREEN teamed up with the Bert Bolin Centre new jobs will be created initially, rising to Costa Navarino’s electricity needs will for Climate Research of Stockholm 1,200 once phase one becomes opera- be met by solar power – the developer University to build a research centre at tional. Temes SA has pledged that Costa has applied for a permit for a 22MW Costa Navarino, which will study the Navarino will recruit mainly from local photovoltaic system to be hidden in the Mediterranean climate and environment. communities, and will use local products mountains – and a geothermal installa- No-one could accuse and services as much as possible. tion will be installed under the golf course Constantakopoulos of not thinking big “This will be combined with educa- to provide cooling and heating for the with Costa Navarino. His vision is for a tional programs for SMEs and local resorts. A cooling system using tech- truly sustainable, luxury resort that ena- producers to help them adopt high qual- nology based on seawater circulation is bles visitors to enjoy the local area while ity standards in their businesses,” says currently under development. helping locals to stay in their homeland. Papatsoni. “Costa Navarino will create Hotels and golf courses are notoriously Only time will tell whether he manages to a signifi cant number of new business water-hungry – to meet this demand two achieve all of his aims. ● 40 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 spa business 2010handbook the global resource Available in Print for spa professionals & Online The Spa Business Handbook is the ultimate reference guide for the international spa market. Published in January 2010 as a comprehensive resource for operators and suppliers worldwide, it will be distributed to key decision makers including leading hotel and spa operators, suppliers, developers, consultants and other experts. It will also be distributed at key spa events, making it a must to be seen in. What's in the handbook? { Operator information } { Supplier information } POWERED BY t Industry movers and shakers t Company profiles including key information, spa-kit.net t Global market hot spots contact details, images of products and a picture of a key contact in association with t Key industry statistics and research spa business & t A-Z listing of trade associations t A 2010 diary highlighting events, spa opportunities shows and networking opportunities t A-Z listing of green resources t Predictions and trends for 2010 t A development pipeline t Spa design ON A LEI TI SU A R t Disability IC E L M B E U D P I t Fitness in spas A A I P D U E B Advertising and marketing M L I E C R A T U I S O I E N L A bookings are being taken now. To reserve your company’s space CPQJFTXJMMCFBWBJMBCMFUPQVSDIBTFPOMJOF DBMM XXXTQBIBOECPPLDPN FNBJMTBMFT!TQBCVTJOFTTDPN ADVENTURE SPORTS MAKING FRESH TRACKS lthough Hemel Hempstead's cern, since The Snow Centre is 30 miles Columbia, which also provides all the ski dry ski slope had earned a closer to London and could stem the and snowboard clothing, and the equip- A reputation of providing good fl ow of visitors to Xscape. ment is sponsored by Head Tyrolian. instruction and turning out The Snow Centre has been fi ve years good skiers and snowboarders, the CREATING THE in the making and opened for business advent of artifi cial snow ski centres SNOW CENTRE in May 2009, giving ample time to sort meant there was a limited future for dry “We decided we wanted to create a train- out any teething problems before win- slopes. The launch of Xscape Milton ing academy and a centre of excellence, ter. “There were a few planning issues,” Keynes, just a stone’s throw away, added not a theme park,” says Gillespie. “We says Gillespie. “This is quite a funky to the problem. Lesson bookings stayed went around all the snow centres and building to be situated right in the mid- buoyant, but there was a dramatic fall in took the best of the key things [we found] dle of a residential area, but this site was the numbers of people using the slope and designed out the things we thought always designated for sports and recrea- for recreational skiing and boarding. didn't work. We wanted a big nursery tional use. The town is being renovated Owner/operator, David Surrey, who slope, as most people come for lessons, and the council is keen to make it more developed the Hemel slope with his and we wanted it to feel open, with wide of a destination, so they were generally father, had a choice of either con- slopes and a high roof.” enthusiastic about creating an exciting tinuing to tick along or creating an To animate the space, the walls are venue to bring extra revenue to the town. ambitious, next generation centre. He decorated with mountain vistas. Gillespie “We did have to make some changes chose the latter option, putting together contacted the Austrian Tourist Offi ce to to the initial plans though. To start with an experienced board of directors, and ask whether any of the ski regions would [the building] looked a bit like a massive enlisting the expertise of Pete Gillespie be interested in sponsoring the walls and shed. The council told us we had to be as snowsports director. Now Xscape two regions, Ötztal and Zillertel, took up more eco-friendly so we've now got one Milton Keynes may have cause for con- the offer. The back wall is sponsored by of the biggest cedar roofs in Europe.” 42 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 THE SNOW CENTRE HAS: ● 120 BASI qualifi ed instructors ● 8000sq m real snow slopes ● An 160m-long main slope ● The UK's largest indoor les- son slope: 100m x 30m ● A snow play area for under sixes, with ringos and toboggans ● Rails and freestyle features ● Snow and Rock store ● The Edge cafe bar ● Three conference rooms ● It cost £23m to develop s a ski and snowboard addict Hemel Hempstead's 30-year-old artifi cial A who has been deprived ski slope could no longer compete with for the past few years, I was excited about the prospect of get- the real snow ski centres on the market. ting a fi x at The Snow Centre. Following a £23m makeover, The Snow It's an impresive building which fl ows well. The caf bar, with its Centre is now giving its rivals a real é views of the slopes, has enough my experience run for their money, says Kathryn Hudson wood and slate in the design to give it a homely Alpine feel. KATH HUDSON Much time and money has been invested in the manufacture of the snow, and the quality AMBITIOUS TARGETS are obvious tar- was good. Probably good enough to live up to the tongue The operating costs to run what is essen- gets, the marketing in cheek strapline of ‘the best snow this side of the Alps.’ tially a massive fridge are high, so the is more focused I was pleasantly surprised at the standard of target visitor numbers have been consid- on reaching new the tuition. My snowboard instructor, Tom, was erably raised from those of the artifi cial people, and is par- extremely likeable and I was impressed with the slope. In the fi rst year, the target is for ticularly targeting subtle changes he made to my rusty technique. 300,000 visits, with a £6.5m turnover. the family market. He gave me digestable advice and by the end of This compares with between 30,000 and Most of the visitors the hour-long lesson I was snowboarding 100 per 40,000 visits per year and £1m turnover are As and B1s: cent better and with much more confi dence. for the original dry ski slope. within 45 minutes It would have been an excellent pre-holiday “It was a worry opening in the mid- travel time, which refresher, if only I had a holiday to look forward to! dle of the recession, but by that time we encompasses a were already committed,” says Gillespie. population of six “However, we have been overwhelmed million people. with the response and the level of suc- Fanatics come from further afi eld – two people can learn to become instruc- cess. We are on target at the moment to three hours drive – on a monthly basis tors, take refresher qualifi cations and and looking like we will achieve our year take courses in teaching people with dis- end goal. In a few years we hope to be CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE abilities. The uptake for the instructors’ getting 500,000 visits a year.” The level of the tuition is the USP. courses has been extremely good, with The Snow Centre is being marketed The Snow Centre is the only British all of the courses sold out. via the website and email, as well as ski Association of Ski Instructors-accredited Gillespie is not planning to stop at one and snowboard and lifestyle magazines. Centre of Excellence in the south. As well ski centre. “We’re already doing feasibil- Although ski and snowboard fanatics as taking ski and snowboard lessons, ity studies for the next one,” he says. ● ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 43 SPORT REGENERATION SPORTS CITY Cardiff’s sports provision has changed beyond recognition over the past decade, with Cardiff City Stadium the latest major venue to open. Terry Stevens and Tom Morgan look at how the city is using sport as a tool for change port has always helped form the the casino was needed to ensure the Welsh national identity, and has ISV would be completed in time for the S played a major role in shaping 2012 Olympic Games, but it was aban- civic pride for Cardiff. doned, when the government scrapped Today the Millennium Stadium domi- its supercasino plans in 2008. nates the Cardiff skyline, and acts as a Yet since 2005 – and Cardiff’s cente- physical representation of a strategy that nary celebrations, as well as its golden has seen sport used as an economic jubilee triumph as the Capital for Wales driver for the city over the past decade. – the vision of selling Cardiff as a ‘sports The last 10 years have seen huge city’ has been delivered with a new changes for sports provision in Cardiff. energy through strategic partnerships The completion of the Millennium with both the private and public sector. Stadium for the 1999 Rugby World Cup and the launch of the National Indoor WATERSPORTS Cardiff Athletics Centre at the University of AND SWIMMING International Wales Cardiff (UWIC) in the same year Cardiff Council, working with govern- Pool (below left) marked a real high point for the city. ing bodies from watersports and the opened in 2008. However, these successes were fol- Welsh Assembly Government (WAG), Cardiff City lowed by a number of disappointments, has delivered a major event experience Stadium (right) including the aborted supercasino bid, within Cardiff Bay. The Bay has hosted was opened by which was linked to the International national and European sailing regattas, First Minister Sports Village (ISV) project in Cardiff round-the-world yacht races, Formula Rhodri Morgan Bay. Cardiff Council said at the time that 1, 2, 3 and 4 Powerboat Grand Prix rac- in July 2009 ing, European and international rowing events, water skiing, and fl atwater and slalom canoeing, as well as a range of community events. The new Olympic-standard Cardiff Canoe Slalom course and Cardiff International White Water rafting centre at the ISV will soon complement Cardiff’s existing watersports offer. Due to open in March 2010, it will be the fi rst of its type in the UK. It has been designed by Hydrostadium of France, designers of the Olympic white water courses at Sydney and Athens. In January 2008, Cardiff International Pool opened. This was a long awaited replacement for the old, worn out Empire Pool, which was demolished in 1998 to make way for the Millennium Stadium. The new 50m x 25m pool, together with the 25m warm-up pool and lei- sure facilities, opened at the ISV with Parkwood Leisure operating the pool on behalf of the partnership. The fi rst year 44 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 saw 18 clubs swim every week at the tive media before the Ashes Test Match, opened by Wales’ First Minister Rhodri pool with 733,000 paying customer visits. it was widely heralded as a triumph by Morgan. The new £56m, 26,850-capac- More than 40,000 people attend health the media, both during and after the First ity stadium and associated development and fi tness classes each year. Test. Both the ground and Cardiff were hosted its fi rst major game between proclaimed an international cricketing Cardiff City and Celtic the same month. A NEW HOME success, and the event created a legacy The stadium was built on the site of FOR CRICKET for the future. Part of this legacy includes the former Cardiff Athletics Stadium The launch of the Cardiff International the tremendous partnership work being and now forms part of the larger £100m, Pool was followed in May 2008 by the carried out by the club and council in 240,000sq m Leckwith Development that opening of the new SWALEC Stadium at local schools and communities to sup- includes retail developments, new hous- Glamorgan County Cricket Club (GCCC), port healthy living, team building and the ing and new road systems. It is the base built on the site of the existing Sophia city’s physical and social infrastructure. for both professional soccer and rugby Gardens ground next to the Welsh clubs and also the hub for community Institute for Sport. CARDIFF CITY STADIUM engagement with rugby and soccer in This facility was the vision of Paul Early 2009 saw the opening of the Cardiff’s schools and communities. Russell, chairman of GCCC, who entered International Athletics Stadium at The initiative for a partnership into a partnership with the council and Leckwith to the west of the city, delivered approach to developing the stadium the Welsh Assembly to deliver this sta- as part of the foundation works for the came when the council agreed a way dium for the premier tournament of Test new Cardiff City Football Club Stadium. forward for planning and business devel- Match Cricket with the Ashes in 2009. The stadium was opened by Colin opment with the football club. This This facility, right in the middle of the Jackson and the leader of the council, resulted in planning approval by the city centre, has held several one day Rodney Berman, and it replaces the old council in August 2003 and Welsh internationals and the fi rst Ashes Test Leckwith Athletics Stadium. Assembly Government support in match in June 2009. After much nega- In July 2009, Cardiff City Stadium was September of that year. ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 45 SPORTS REGENERATION The SWALEC Stadium (left) opened in time for the Ashes 2009; Cardiff International White Water (above) will feature a 250m rafting course when it opens in spring 2010 Three years later Laing O’Rourke CARDIFF CITY STADIUM – AN ECONOMIC FORCE won the contract to build the stadium with Arup Sport and Holder Mathias In April 2002, as part of the planning process and case making for the new as the architectural team and PMG stadium, a comprehensive economic impact assessment was undertaken Developments as the developer. by Stevens & Associates. The study benchmarked research undertaken else- Land clearance started in February where in the UK; it was based on surveys of spending patterns by football 2007 and the structure was completed in fans undertaken by the Premier League and the Sir Norman Chester Centre for autumn 2008. The stadium is owned by Football Research, as well as the Deloitte’s ‘Annual Survey of Football Finance’. Cardiff City AFC, and the Cardiff Blues In addition, the study was able to draw upon Cardiff’s recent hosting of rugby team are tenants. the FA Cup and League play-off games that had relocated to the Millennium Davies Langdon was involved with Stadium during the re-build of Wembley. The hosting of the FA Cup Finals the project from inception to comple- in Cardiff, for example, generated £4.2m of visitor spend in the local econ- tion, acting as the employer’s agent and omy while the contribution of the then Charity Shield games was £3.6m. cost manager on the total development. The economic impact assessment, while examining the potential if Cardiff Construction started in November 2007 were promoted to the Premier League, based its case upon a successful and completed in May 2009, three weeks Championship side. On this basis the fi ndings estimated that the new sta- ahead of schedule and under budget. dium would generate around £24m per annum, of which £14.5m would be As part of the overall scheme for the retained in the local economy. Through the multiplier effect, that £14.5m football stadium, the existing athletic sta- would generate an additional £5.5m of indirect spending. In addition the dium had to be demolished and a new stadium would support 250 to 300 jobs (125 to 150 full time equivalents). facility built on the other side of Leckwith Road. This is one of only fi ve such ven- ues in the UK that provide the highest mote sport and active lifestyles in Cardiff. Cardiff with the Ryder Cup taking place international athletic facilities. It includes not only the sports already at Celtic Manor and the city’s facilities mentioned, but many more such as used for world class events. EUROPEAN CITY baseball, gymnastics and weightlifting. It Council Leader, Rodney Berman, OF SPORT also includes innovative schemes such and the Executive Member for Sport & Cardiff became the UK’s European City as ‘People Versus Handicap’, which is Culture, Nigel Howells, have been instru- of Sport 2009, combining its centres of using international athletes and teams to mental in driving this agenda, and have sporting excellence with its healthy liv- provide an example for children. been supported by a dedicated team of ing and community facilities, successfully Cardiff Council is currently working offi cers and strategic partners. delivering the major elements of the UK with Matt Burge, chairman and owner of Sport in Cardiff, while taken seri- School Games in September 2009. the Cardiff Devils Ice Hockey team, to ously at the highest international level, is The city, working with its partners, has deliver a new permanent Ice Arena for also for family and communities, with all delivered a one stop shop for sport. The European ice hockey. The council is also encouraged to take part. ● multi-agency support of professionals; working with Orion Land and Leisure on academics; health and social practition- new waterfront snow facilities. These Dr Terry Stevens is MD of Stevens & ers; and local and central government is projects should start on site in 2010, a Associates. Tom Morgan is corporate part of the agenda to develop and pro- year that will bring huge opportunities for director at Cardiff Council 46 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Did you know that you can now receive a FREE subscription to Leisure Management in its new, greener, paper-free, digital format? Change the way you read Leisure Management magazine SIGN UP ONLINE: www.leisuremanagement.co.uk/green WHY NOT ADD A FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION TO OUR OTHER PUBLICATIONS? sspppaa bussine ss SPA BUSINESS SPA OPPORTUNITIES Read about the innovators shaping the Fortnightly international spa recruitment, global spa market from curative and thermal training and news publication to resort, day and destination spas HEALTH CLUB MANAGEMENT SPORTS MANAGEMENT Keep up to date with the health & fi tness market For managers and policy makers in the sports by reading the leading title for the industry. market who want to keep ahead of the game Includes Spa, Europe and World specials LEISURE OPPORTUNITIES ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT The fortnightly recruitment, training, property Everything you want to know about the visitor and news publication which gets you the right attractions market. From theme parks and museums job or the perfect candidate for your vacancy to science centres, zoos and corporate brandlands GO GREEN www.leisuremanagement.co.uk/green ATTRACTIONS BUILDING A BRAND mini Legoland in a shop- With three locations – Berlin, Duisburg ping mall? It’s a striking and Shaumburg, near Chicago – already Merlin Entertainments A concept – and one that Merlin in operation, and more on the way as Entertainments has been roll- part of Merlin’s aggressive roll out strat- hopes to build its new ing out since 2007. Merlin’s Legoland egy for its Midway attractions, dozens of Legoland Discovery Centre Discovery Centres (LDC) are indoor, city retail centres around the world could, one attractions bringing the brand to local day, be hosting their own LDC. concept around the world, day-trippers with a world of Lego model- Next up is a £7.5m LDC set to open at one Lego brick at a time. building, themed areas, a 4D theatre and Manchester’s Trafford Centre for Easter a ride or two. Unlike Legoland theme 2010. The 3,500sq m attraction will be Andrea Jezovit hears parks, they’re weather-proof, open year- the fi rst LDC in the UK, and Merlin’s fi rst about the plans round, and don’t require a whole day to new UK attraction since the launch of the visit. “People typically stay for about two Edinburgh Dungeon in 2001. Also in the hours, whereas they’ll stay seven hours pipeline are LDC launches in New Jersey in a Legoland theme park,” says Glenn (as part of the US$2bn Xanadu shop- Earlam, manager of Merlin’s Midway ping and entertainment complex) and in Attractions Operating Group. Dallas/Fort Worth at the Grapevine Mills Manager of Merlin’s Midway Attractions Operating Group, Glenn Earlam, believes that operating a good product at a good price has helped Merlin during the recession 48 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Most LCDs are in shopping malls. “We’re not trying to penetrate tourist markets One parent amuses the children at the attraction while the other shops – LDCs are for people who live in the city. shopping mall. With the New Jersey Shopping malls often have other leisure anchors launch delayed due to Xanadu’s post- so give us competitive rates for renting space” poned completion, both US locations are now projected to open in 2011. “Because they operate off a smaller basis, LDCs have the potential for being in many more locations all over the world. ‘Midway’ is the term Merlin uses for shopping malls tend to put themselves. They don’t require million and millions of its indoor attractions division, which They already have large quantities of visitors for us to make money, so poten- also includes 26 Sea Life aquaria, nine parking space and quite often other lei- tially we can have lots more of them. Madame Tussaud’s museums, six sure anchors to their business, so they’re It’s a different operating model from Dungeons and the London Eye – all built prepared to give us competitive rates for Legoland theme parks, so they comple- around a one- to two-hour-stay. Merlin renting their space,” Earlam says. ment each other nicely,” says Earlam. also has a division for Legoland parks, Another benefi t of a retail centre loca- and a third for resort theme parks such tion is the advantages it provides for A NEW BRAND IS BORN as Alton Towers. As with all of Merlin’s visitors. Merlin’s experience with Berlin, The LDC concept was born when Merlin Midway attractions, populous city loca- the fi rst LDC to launch, has been that was acquiring the Legoland theme parks tions with reasonably wealthy residents guests often combine shopping with a from Lego Group in 2005. Merlin wanted were a must for the new LDCs. Locating visit – one parent amuses the children at to “combine the intellectual property of the new LDCs in retail environments – all the attraction while the other shops. Legoland with the most lucrative and but Duisburg make their home in shop- Merlin has learned other location les- highest margin bits of our attractions ping centres – was a natural extension sons from Berlin – the attraction is near business, which is the Midway format,” of this. “With the LDCs, it’s a residen- the city centre, allowing for some tourist Earlam says. “We wanted to come up tial, local audience, so we’re not trying to footfall as well as visits from city resi- with a Midway format using that very penetrate tourist markets in particular – dents, but Merlin now focuses on less strong Legoland brand, so we came up this is for people who live in the city. And central sites with parking which are eas- with the idea of an indoor Legoland.” that’s actually fi rst and foremost where ier to access by car for local families. ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 49 ATTRACTIONS TUSSAUDS GROUP Since the acquisition of Tussauds Group in 2007, Merlin has been the number two visitor attraction operator in the world. As well as the LDCs, Merlin also operates these attractions Legoland: four parks in the UK, Denmark, Sea Life: the number one aquarium Germany and California, and two more brand in the world will see its third US in development in Malaysia and Dubai. site open in Phoenix, Arizona in 2010 Gardaland Resort: Italy’s top theme park Madame Tussaud’s: Merlin The Alton Towers Resort: a new pirate- with more than 40 rides and a hotel resort. Entertainments opened its ninth wax themed Sea Life attraction was added to Plans for a second hotel are underway museum in Hollywood in 2009 the 500-acre resort theme park in 2009 “We aim at children under 12, and the Children can build core is ages fi ve to eight. It’s a reasona- models of cars and bly young audience, so parents want to race them in the be able to drive and park,” Earlam says. Build and Test area The Trafford Centre in Manchester of the centres fi ts the LDC location criteria perfectly, Earlam says. “It’s got what we’d look for Each features a 4D almost anywhere in the world – a high theatre, a ‘factory residential population that’s reasonably tour’ showing children affl uent. It’s right next to the motorway how Lego is made, a system that links the whole of the north themed jungle walk west, so you’ve got easy access from area, a model-mak- Liverpool and all the surrounding areas ing area, a Build and of Merseyside, you’ve got easy access Test area, where chil- from the whole of Greater Manchester, dren can build models and it’s quite easy to come up from the of cars and race them, Birmingham area as well,” he says. “The and a Hall of Fame actual Trafford Centre is a brilliant loca- featuring famous characters rendered Earlam says Merlin has been learn- tion. It’s positioned itself as a leisure in Lego. There’s also a soft play area, ing about what works and fi ne-tuning the destination as opposed to just shops – Miniland, with a detailed miniature model product. “We’ve worked out ways so that there are leisure offerings, cinemas and of the home city constructed from over a the 4D cinema has an ever-changing fi lm, the snow dome, and it’s getting a reputa- million Lego bricks, and the Dragon Ride, and we’ve found better ways of making tion for being very high quality.” which takes visitors through a medie- the Minilands more interactive, with more val castle populated by moving Lego buttons the kids can press to make them LEGO GALORE models. A second ride, Technicycle, come alive,” he says. “We’re tweaking Despite different international locations, was added to the Chicago site this year, and evolving the product to be the best the LDCs all follow a similar concept. inspired by Lego Technic. it can be. It’s diffi cult to launch a totally new concept and brand in a less-devel- oped format, and Midway is probably a less developed format worldwide than the theme park format, so it’s been quite “The Trafford Centre’s got what we’d look for a challenge and learning curve for us, but we’re very pleased what we’ve been up almost anywhere in the world – a high residential to and with the future of the brand.” population that’s reasonably affl uent and is Merlin doesn’t divulge its attractions’ visitor numbers and revenues, but Earlam easy to access from the surrounding areas” says he’s happy with the visitor response 50 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Chessington World of Adventures: The Dungeons: an experience com- The London Eye: the world’s tallest can- the zoo and park will unveil a new bining history, horror and humour. tilevered observation wheel saw the Asian-themed land in March 2010 Merlin operates six sites in Europe addition of a 4D cinema pre-show in 2009 Thorpe Park: aimed at thrill ride-seek- Heide Park Resort: North Germany’s larg- Earth Explorer: this Belgian attrac- ers, the theme park unveiled horror est theme park, it features a new 440-bed tion features interactive areas fi lm-themed SAW: The Ride in 2009 holiday centre and four-star resort hotel immersing guests in natural forces to the LDCs so far, noting that they The Legoland attract in the region of several hundred Discovery Centre’s thousand people. “[The LDCs] typically core age group is cost between around £5m and £7m, so children aged fi ve- 400,000 visitors is a satisfactory return,” to eight-years-old he says. “We’re very pleased and they’ve been very successful, but because we’ve UP NEXT learnt as we’ve gone along, Chicago’s So where might the most successful so far. It’s in the right LDCs be headed location, in a mall, with lots of parking, after the launches and it’s the most sophisticated.” in Manchester, New The fact that LDCs cater to locals look- Jersey and Dallas? ing for days out – similar to Merlin’s other “We’ll do one or two a Midway attractions – has meant that year for the foreseea- opening them amid the recession hasn’t ble future. In the long been a big problem, Earlam says. term, I really don’t “I don’t think Merlin’s been very know, it depends on affected by those things,” he says, not- how much we’re able to penetrate those tunities such as the London Eye and ing that the company’s multitude of local medium-sized cities in the US. We see Pepsi Globe Observation Wheel, which attractions have benefi ted from the rise the potential for 50 locations,” Earlam Merlin will be operating at Xanadu in New of the ‘staycation’. “Our experience is, if says, noting that many different American Jersey. “They’re the fi ve key areas, and you give the customer a good product at cities could accommodate LDCs. “And one of the strategic things we’re trying to a good price in the attractions business, there are lots of large and medium-sized do is roll them out together. We’ve found they’ll still fi nd the money to prioritise cities in Europe and Asia. We have to get in cities like Berlin and London that we’re that. Maybe it’s the big two-week holi- our model right, but our perception is able to save on costs by operating either days that are suffering, but people are that we could roll them out quite aggres- shared services or one management still going on big days out.” sively around the world.” That could team. And, most importantly, there’s the One challenge with the LDCs, however, mean up to fi ve UK locations, he says. cross-marketing and cross-selling, which has been branding. “It uses the name This fi ts into Merlin’s strategy of roll- increases our total market share.” Legoland, so there’s a danger that peo- ing out around four Midway attractions The years ahead will also see the cur- ple might perceive it as a theme park,” a year. Earlam calls the LDCs a core rent LDCs injecting new features to Earlam says. “In places like the UK and roll-out brand for Midway, along with attract Lego fans – fi rst up is a 4D Lego Germany, people understand the con- Madame Tussaud’s and Sealife Centres, fi lm launching at LDCs and Legoland cept of Legoland as a big theme park, so which will also be rolling out at a rate parks this year. “There are bits and we’ve had to explain to the customer that of one or two a year. The company pieces of product that we tweak,” Earlam this is a different proposition.” This has continues to look for locations for its says, “and we’ll continue to evolve to led Merlin to consider tweaking the logo. Dungeons, as well as observation oppor- what we think is our perfect model.” L ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 51 CORPORATE WELLNESS Winner of the 2008 World Leisure Innovation Award, Ginsters’ Active Workplace employee Play together wellness programme has seen great results, fi nds Kath Hudson Stay together ornish children used to be veys show staff are now engaged with approached Sport England and secured told that, if they didn’t behave the business and take pride in their work. funding to appoint a full-time fi tness co- “C themselves, they would end Best of all, comments from local schools ordinator, Steve Smeeth, and also to buy up working at Ginsters,” says have proved Ginsters’ negative external equipment to create a gym in an exist- former Caradon Council leader, John image has been turned around. ing building. A partnership was struck Turner. “Now parents say: ‘If you’re good up with the Bristol Business School to you might get a job at Ginsters.’” TAKING A GAMBLE monitor the results, using another of the Part of the Samworth Brothers group, Caradon Council started the ball rolling in Samworth Brothers’ sites as a control. which has 15 food sites, Ginsters didn’t 2004. Under the government’s Choosing Ginsters’ managing director, Mark have a high standing as an employer, Health White Paper, it managed to get Duddridge, concedes the whole scheme despite the company’s attempts to com- funding to offer fi tness testing to employ- was a gamble, but he also saw it as an municate the fact that it offered a wide ees at local companies. Half of Ginsters’ extension of the company’s Training range of career opportunities and that it workforce volunteered to be tested. Academy, which supports individuals in needed skilled workers. Because they worked long hours, stand- further learning, languages and interests. The company faced a number of ing up and being busy, staff considered “It felt like the right thing to do, challenges. Around 18 per cent of the themselves to be fi t. The results showed because of the Academy. Nearly all the 450-strong workforce came from ethnic that, in fact, they weren’t fi t at all. staff on site are permanent and it’s really minorities and were resisting attempts to Clearly some work needed to be done, important we keep hold of them after integrate them into the team. The night and at this point the company made the we’ve trained them,” he says. and day shifts didn’t mix, and separate commitment to invest in an active work- “However, there was the fear it might areas of the production line mistrusted place, in spite of a lack of evidence about not work because it’s a 24 hour opera- each other. Not surprisingly, the annual the success of such projects. tion – people have to do the activities staff survey showed staff morale was low. Caradon Council’s then health before or after work. We were a bit nerv- Three years after the implementation improvement offi cer, Jane Abraham, ous we might do all this work and it of the Active Workplace programme, sur- played a vital role in the project. She wouldn’t work or it would just appeal to The scheme won the 2008 World Leisure Innovation Award (left) Allotments have been made available to staff (this picture) “It felt like the right thing to do. Nearly all of the staff on site are permanent, and it’s really important we hold on to them once we’ve trained them” 52 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Football matches have helped break down barriers between employees THE PROJECT IN BRIEF Three years after the implementation of Caradon employed an Active Workplace the Active Workplace programme, surveys Co-ordinator with funding from Sport show staff are now engaged with the England in an attempt to help Ginsters engage 50 per cent of the work- business and take pride in their work force in more active lifestyle. Activities include a slow running club, walking club, badminton, tennis, jive, table those who were already fi t. Although we Smeeth says that people are tennis, trampolining, yoga nad martial arts. were hopeful, we wouldn’t have been now starting to involve their There are 10 mountain bikes available to bor- surprised if it had faltered.” families more in the day trips. row, together with subsidised skiing and Free fruit was made avail- snowboarding taster sessions. There are also GENTLE APPROACH able in the canteen and more 11-a-side interdepartmental football matches Duddridge and Smeeth both agree the healthy food choices were between shifts throughout the summer. key to the scheme’s success is the fact given, as well as advice on Ginsters has also installed a free on that employees have been encouraged diet and exercise. A number site gym. The Active Workplace co-ordi- to take part in activities, but there has of other activities were organ- nator works closely with the occupational been no compulsion to do them. “It has ised on a weekly basis: health nurse who refers people on to an been non-threatening and non-compet- badminton, spinning (a cou- exercise referral programme in the gym. itive. We have taken a really softly, softly ple of employees have now There are also opportunities for staff to approach, by making opportunities trained as instructors), kettle- have health and free chiropractor assess- available and by offering gentle encour- bells and football. ments and advice on healthy eating with agement,” says Duddridge. The football matches have healthy options available in the canteen. Thanks to the Sport England funding, had the most impact in the fi nancial outlay for Ginsters was not unifying the workforce. Initially interna- were made available, targeting those extensive, the biggest investment being tional rivalry was intense, but when the employees that were still inactive. The the supply of activity taster sessions. teams were mixed up it really improved uptake for this has been excellent and After an initial survey to fi nd out what employee relations. The turning point has been accompanied by guidance staff wanted to do, they were given came when the Polish players voted to from tutors at the local college. the chance to try a range of activities speak English during a match and they The success of the scheme has led to including golf, kayaking, canoeing, surf- all started working together. management becoming braver about the ing, skating, skiing (at a nearby slope), initiatives it runs, and diffi cult issues like archery and deep sea fi shing. In the MOVING ON drink, drugs and domestic abuse are now fi rst year the company funded all the Having started off sporty and gym-based, being tackled as part of the programme. sessions. It’s now funded 50/50 com- the project has become softer and “We ran a large campaign on domes- pany/employees, but interestingly this broader in scope as it has progressed. tic violence and set up a room with a hasn’t detracted from the uptake. Indeed In January 2009 a number of allotments screen so employees could chat to the ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 53 CORPORATE WELLNESS Ginsters’ staff are given the chance to try activities including kayaking (below), skiing, surfi ng, golf, archery and deep sea fi shing “Buyers comment on how confi dent and engaged staff are with their work, which helps us get contracts. But the biggest success for us has been the increase in staff morale and the way everyone is now linked together” Citizens Advice Bureau in work time,” reward organisations which have imple- THE END RESULT says Smeeth. “This would never have mented creative solutions which foster Recruitment advertising costs at Ginsters worked if we’d set it up in the beginning, local, national or international leisure have fallen from £55,000 to £15,000 but we’ve won their trust.” opportunities for the benefi t and devel- in the last three years and staff turno- opment of individuals and communities. ver has decreased by 14 per cent. Most WORLD LEISURE Turner thinks the Active Workplace people are now recruited directly, which INNOVATION PRIZE was a winner because staff became so didn’t happen before. It was Turner’s idea to try to win recog- engaged by the scheme, and because “Even before the downturn in the nition for the project. “When I became it could be implemented in any com- economy we had seen staff turnover council leader I got more greatly involved pany and be of benefi t. “The savings creep up, but now stability is at 90 per because I could see people were show- [employers] could make from the ini- cent, which is rare for the food indus- ing a signifi cant interest at government tial investment and benefi ts to people’s try, says Duddridge. “The survey results level, and wanted to fi nd out more,” health are extensive, and it could be corresponded almost exactly with the he explains. “They all started to take applied anywhere in the world,” he says. implementation of the programme. note, which was when we began to Duddridge thinks the fact it can be Buyers also comment on how engaged enter awards. I suggested we went for replicated so easily gave it the edge. and confi dent staff are with their work the Local Government Award and the Now there is a constant stream of com- now, which helps us get contracts. But Municipal Journal award, which we won. panies visiting Ginsters and, having left the biggest success for us is the increase This is what led us to entering the World Caradon Council, Abraham has taken in staff morale and the way everyone is Leisure Organisation’s Innovation Award.” the blueprint to Unilever, Tate and Lyle now linked together. This has cut right The World Leisure Organisation’s and Boots. With the fi nal evidence from across the boundaries in the workforce, Innovation Award focuses on the social Bristol Business School released in and management going into the bakery and cultural aspects of leisure as part of December, the offshoots are likely to be is no longer like a royal visit.” the lived experience. It recognises the even more wide-ranging. Indeed, having been witnessed by use of leisure as a creative solution in Even in the current economic climate, many workers trying to squeeze himself collectively enhancing the social, cultural, Duddridge says he’d launch the pro- into a wetsuit on a surfi ng taster day, one environmental and economic quality of gramme again; in fact he says he’d be senior manager commented that no airs life in a particular area. even more likely to do it now there’s evi- and graces are now possible among the The prize seeks to recognise and dence available to show that it works. management team! ● 54 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Project: Himmelskibet (Star Flyer), Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen, Denmark Gamma LeisurePOS Architect Designer / Project Manager: Jonathan Gress Wright Lighting Design: Focus Lighting Inc. 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While the integration between modules ensures that operators can easily produce cross departmental reports such as visitor spend Changing much more than analysis. colour LeisurePOS modules include: A COMPLETE RANGE OF Admissions and Ticketing OUTDOOR LIGHTING SOLUTIONS Bookings and Event Management Membership Retail and Catering Point of Sale Stock Control Purchase Order Processing Mail Order Martin dynamic lighting for Himmelskibet (Star Gift Aid Flyer) – the world’s tallest swing carousel – evokes Integrated Chip and PIN the movement and excitement of the ride itself, Web Interfaces creating a defining symbol for Copenhagen and Gamma Dataware Ltd Accounting and Payroll Reporting and Back Office Management Tivoli Gardens. Wright Business Centre 1 Lonmay Road Glasgow LeisurePOS options include: Martin programmable high-tech luminaires open up G33 4EL = #,4(.(55$0'4(/16(+$0'+(.' !70,65 all new possibilities for modern theme park design. Telephone: +44 (0)141 773 6273 = ",&-(65$.(5$0'&1..(&6,10-,15-5 = (/1*4$2+,&'$6$&$2674( Our extensive distributor network guarantees $: immediate product availability and support in +44 (0)141 773 6283 = !+,2$0' )141))5,6(5$.(5 E-mail: = 19(%64$05$&6,10)((5 countries around the globe. [email protected] = "+($64(1: )),&(5$.(5 For more information www.gammadata.com on dynamic lighting applications contact Martin: www.martin.com ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 55 ENERGY capitalising on CARBON REDUCTIONREDUCTI espite the seemingly never-ending debate The advent of the Carbon Reduction Commitment D on the state of the UK’s economy, the other brings with it some fundamental questions great issue of our times – climate change – still lurks ominously. for the leisure and hospitality industry. John Although the number of column Beddoes looks at how businesses in the sector inches dedicated to it may have diminished over the last year, its can turn its introduction to their advantage consequences are still clearly there to see and much is being done behind the scenes to mitigate man- have already registered and made provi- wide range of power demands, kind’s impact on the environment. sion for managing the process. The key from heated pools to ambient UK government policy sets out a range dates for the CRC are: lighting, across several sites. of mechanisms for business to reduce ● April 2010 – CRC starts, commit- From a fi nancial perspective, it CO2 emissions, the most recent of which ting participants to measure and report will be important to involve senior is the Carbon Reduction Commitment energy consumption/CO2 emissions. management and fi nancial func- (CRC), which comes into force in April ● April 2011 – fi xed price sales of carbon tions at an early stage, given the 2010. Organisations will qualify if their allowances to cover 2010/2011. up-front cost and cashfl ow impli- mandatory half hourly metered electricity ● October 2011 – fi rst league table pub- cations of purchasing allowances. consumption is greater than 6,000 MWh/ lished and fi rst recycling payment made. Subsequently, any reductions year or they have an annual energy bill in carbon emissions should, in of greater than £500,000. It’s mandatory TAKE CONTROL the medium term, result in cost for those not covered by other legislation Businesses in the hospitality and leisure savings – from reduced energy such as the Climate Change Agreements industry may actually be able to turn the consumption, as well as from or European Emissions Trading. CRC’s introduction to their advantage bonuses accrued through the Under the scheme, organisations on a number of parameters with appro- CRC. The other side of the coin is that will be compelled to measure, manage priate planning. The implications of the any increases in carbon emissions can and report their energy consumption CRC cover not just environmental per- prove costly both in terms of increased and emissions data, purchasing carbon formance, but they also have fi nancial, energy costs and the penalties that will allowances according to those emis- reputational and HR dimensions. become due from the CRC scheme. sions. This money will be repaid annually Those in the industry should actively to participants, with a bonus/penalty, try to reduce emissions as early as pos- A SLIDING SCALE depending on their performance (the size sible. Some may already have carbon The fi nancial implications of the scheme of these bonuses/penalties increases management strategies and manage- become more pronounced over time over time). This performance will be cap- ment teams in place and will be able and participating organistions will need tured in an annual emissions league table. to focus their activities on the CRC to to prepare for this. The bonuses/penal- Many hotel groups, health clubs, spas, deliver real change to their organisation. ties accrued begin at between +/- 10 per restaurants and visitor attractions will fall Key for all will be to recognise that the cent of the allowances paid, but these PHOTO: ISTOCK.COM/TOMML under the scope of the CRC, and many fi nancial and reputational implications fi gures will increase to between +/-50 per of CRC will only increase over time, with cent by 2014/15. the fi rst three years of the scheme being As an example, a business generat- seen as a ‘learning process’ before the ing 10,000 tonnes of CO2 a year would regulations become tougher. have to pay £120,000 in allowances It’s critical that businesses gain the for the fi rst year – and could expect to most in terms of cost reductions from the received this back as a recycled payment regulations. It will thus be preferable to adjusted by a maximum bonus or penalty build a CRC management team that cov- of £12,000 for Year 1. ers a range of skills and expertise – or at Reputation management will also least which can work closely with these potentially become an issue. The pub- disciplines. That team will also need to lication of a CRC performance league have a good understanding of how to table each year will almost certainly put manage energy that is used to meet a the spotlight onto the best and worst 56 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 PHOTO: ISTOCK.COM/© CLAUDEPHOTO: DAGENAI “Reputation management will become an issue. The CRC performance league tables will put the spotlight onto the best and worst perfomers” performers, undoubtedly with accom- rewards organisations that demonstrate matic or revolving doors to keep the heat panying positive or negative media absolute or relative reductions in emis- in during the winter months can make a coverage. Thus CRC management sions over the last three years and takes real difference. Tools which compensate teams in each organisation should ide- into consideration both current and for changes in weather and temperature ally include representatives from PR and/ future plans to reduce energy usage. and optimise how buildings are switched or corporate social responsibility to help Of course, central to the CRC manage- on and off can greatly improve effi ciency plan for these scenarios. ment team should be an environmental in these areas, as can more simple Given that bad news still sells newspa- manager, who will take overall responsi- actions such as regularly maintaining pers, the onus will be on organisations to bility for managing the CRC process as heating and ventilation systems. defend themselves where necessary, and part of an overall carbon management Add to that the multi-use nature of actively promote their credentials where strategy. He or she should work with a many sites and the potential complex- they can, depending on where they rank. multi-disciplinary team to deliver car- ity of the challenge is clear to see. Quick With the fi rst league table due in bon reductions for the business, meeting wins for hotels include use of building October 2011, it will become critical to both its goals and those of the CRC. management systems; aerated show- identify the likely scenario as early as erheads to reduce water fl ow and so possible and ensure the organisation’s ENERGY REDUCING TIPS reduce hot water consumption; improved communications resources are available One of the priorities for the leisure indus- management practices such as switch- to deal with it both proactively and reac- try is to ensure that energy is being ing off heating/cooling systems before tively once the table is published. used effi ciently in site areas. It’s impor- airing guest rooms; and centralising con- It’s possible to already take practical tant to ensure lights and other electronic trols to manage the temperature to stop steps to boost your ranking before the equipment are being switched off or hotel guests from creating ‘extreme’ vari- CRC comes into place by taking advan- automatically going to standby when ances in room temperature. tage of two early action metrics: installing that area is not in use. Another priority Cutting back on energy now will make smart meters to cover 90 per cent of is keeping heating and ventilation costs life a lot easier for the future. ● your energy consumption across your under control, as these make up almost portfolio; and applying for the Carbon half of the energy costs for health clubs. John Beddoes is director of energy Trust Standard, an accreditation which Simple measures such as installing auto- effi ciency at British Gas Business ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 57 RESTAURANTS IL VINO D’ENRICO BERNADO has been selected to complement the wine perfectly. The waiters are all PARIS & CORCHEVEL, FRANCE sommeliers and are trained in guiding the customers to ensure they end up A Liquid Lunch with a meal they’re happy with. A blind tasting menu is also avail- In most restaurants, diners ask staff to able, where the waiters choose both help choose the wine to go with their the wine and the food for customers. meal. At Il Vino d’Enrico Bernardo in Il Vino is the brainchild of Enrico Paris and Courchevel, France, it works Bernardo, who won the World’s Best the other way around. Sommelier Award in 2004. According The concept behind Il Vino is based to Bernardo, the goal of the restaurant on the premise that the wine should was to make wine drinking more fun come fi rst. The menus feature an and less intimidating. extensive list of wines, but no food at Although the focus is on the wine, Bernardo opened a all. Diners choose what they are going the food doesn’t take second place; second Il Vino restaurant to drink – usually by the glass – and the restaurant was awarded a Michelin in Courchevel in 2007 the waiters bring a surprise dish that star in March 2008. From supper in the sky to Dining with breakfast behind bars, Magali Robathan takes a look at some of the world’s more unusual a Difference restaurant concepts MJ Murphy worked with Hilton to create the Ithaa Undersea Restaurant ITHAA RESTAURANT Beneath the Waves RANGALI ISLAND, MALDIVES It’s not new, but it’s certainly unu- the Indian Ocean, and the interiors have features individual windows – each table sual – the Ithaa Undersea Restaurant is been kept deliberately very simple. The has a window above and two windows to 5m below sea level at Hilton’s Conrad structure was built in Singapore and the side, offering views of the sea. Maldives Rangali Island resort. It seats ‘sunk’ in the Maldives. The site of the restaurant was home 12 people and serves Maldivian-Western Although the Ithaa Restaurant has to a coral reef which had been largely fusion dishes in a spectacular setting, attracted more attention – probably due destroyed by pollution. Four years before offering 360 degree views of the coral to the dramatic 360 degree views of the the Red Sea Star Restaurant opened, its reef and marine wildlife. ocean – the Red Sea Star Restaurant in team created an underwater plant nurs- The restaurant opened in April 2005 Israel actually got there fi rst. It opened in ery in co-operation with the National and was designed by MJ Murphy Ltd. 1998, and is 6m below sea level and 70m Parks and Nature Preserves Authority, A 5m-wide acrylic arch offers views of from the coast of Eilat. Unlike Ithaa, it recreating the destroyed reef. 58 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 PHOTO: PETER EISING, PACIFICPHOTO: ENVIRONMENTS ARCHITECTS LTD & LUCY GAUNTLETT The Treehouse reached the fi nals of the World Architecture Awards THE YELLOW TREEHOUSE RESTAURANT Branching Out NEAR AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND The Yellow Treehouse Restaurant in Designed by Auckland-based Pacifi c The restaurant was open for just New Zealand started life as an ad cam- Environments Architects, the restaurant over a month and seated 2,000 people, paign for Yellow Pages – the task was looks like something out of a fairytale before closing in February 2009. It was to create the restaurant using suppliers – the wooden, birdcage-like structure so popular however, that new owners and services from the directory. It sits is wrapped around the trunk of the tree Redwood Forest are considering open- 10m up a giant redwood tree in a pri- and looks particularly attractive at night, ing it as a permanent restaurant. It is vate forest north of Auckland and seats when it glows from within. It is accessed currently used as a venue for weddings 18 diners plus waiting staff. via a treetop walkway. and private functions. MOTO CHICAGO, US A Tasty Menu At Moto restaurant in Chicago, US, hun- gry diners can whet their appetites by tucking into their menus. Chef and co- owner of the restaurant Homaro Cantu is famous for his culinary inventions, which include edible menus – he cre- ates ‘paper’ from potato starch and soyabeans, and uses an ordinary ink jet printer fi lled with savoury ‘inks’ to print the menu choices. The paper is then fl a- voured, and fried, baked or frozen. A ‘cigar’ is served in a dish shaped like an ashtray for example – the cigar is fi lled with slow-braised meat, wrapped in inside an ordinary oven before being The Oil Spill sushi dish (above) uses greens, while the ‘ash’ is made from ses- delivered to the table where diners’ fi sh is squid ink to represent crude oil ame seeds. A dish that looks like nachos cooked before their eyes. served with cheese is actually a dessert, Liquid nitrogen, helium and indus- a variety of energy saving technologies. with kiwi salsa serving as guacamole and trial lasers are all used in the cooking at Heston Blumenthal is, of course, the shredded mango as cheese. Moto, and Cantu is currently working on poster boy for experimental cookery in Spiral handled cutlery is stuffed with a plan to levitate food using supercon- the UK, while Spanish chef Ferran Adria aromatic herbs, in order to help fl avour ductors. His food technology company – owner of the world-renowned El Bulli the food as it’s being eaten, and Cantu’s Cantu Designs is also investigating the restaurant in Roses, Spain – is widely other inventions include the polymer box idea of growing microalgae for use in acknowledged as one of the world’s – a self contained oven which is heated sushi and as a biofuel, and is working on most creative chefs. ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 59 RESTAURANTS THE CLINK rity check and cross the prison yard before being greeted by a pris- SURREY, UK oner-turned-waiter in the 80-cover restaurant. The contemporary, 39sq Criminally Tasty m restaurant was designed by Ishoka and features furniture hand made by At The Clink restaurant in Surrey, UK, prisoners as well as prisoner artwork. the cutlery is plastic and diners require The menu features locally sourced security clearance before they can sit food, including vegetables grown in down to eat their meal. the prison garden, and is described as It’s the fi rst commercial in-prison ‘wholesome and healthy British fare’. restaurant, and it offers visitors an The restaurant employs nine trainee unusual dining experience while giving chefs and 10 waiters at any one prisoners the chance to gain catering time, while two of the prison’s former qualifi cations and work experience. inmates are employed as Maitre D’ Located at Her Majesty’s Prison and Head Chef. Inmates work towards High Down in Sutton, Surrey, The City & Guilds NVQ qualifi cations train- Clink opened in May 2009 and was ing, and it’s hoped their experience inspired by the prison’s catering serv- will help them gain employment once ices manager, chef Alberto Crisci. they are released. The restaurant is The public can’t reserve a table self sustaining and non profi t making. in the usual way; instead The Clink HMP High Down’s governor, Peter invites bookings from individuals Dawson, said: “Every time a chef or and organisations with an interest waiter at The Clink serves a meal, they Prisoners serve up to in helping ex-offenders return to the play their part in dispelling the preju- 1,000 meals a day at community. Visitors enter through dice and ignorance that gets in the The Clink restaurant the prison gates, go through a secu- way of successful resettlement.” Underground Dining blogs. Some of these restaurants ask for Pierre Koffman (above) opened a donations, others charge a fi xed price. temporary restaurant in London At the other end of the scale from upmar- The recession seems to have driven this ket, commercial restaurants is the recent trend – it’s typically a lot cheaper than week period, while Gordon Ramsay’s underground trend of pop up restaurants eating in a restaurant. pop up restaurant in a London Eye cap- – temporary restaurants usually run by Pop up restaurants are not all about sule was open for just one night. Both non restaurateurs out of their own home cheap eating in front rooms though – of these events were part of the London kitchens. Diners hear about these under- Michelin starred chef Pierre Koffman Restaurant Festival in October 2009, ground restaurants through friends of recently ran a pop up restaurant on the which also featured a pop up restaurant friends, or via networking sites or online roof of Selfridges in London for a four in Andaz Hotel’s Masonic Temple. 60 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 DINNER IN THE SKY Pie in the Sky VARIOUS LOCATIONS WORLDWIDE It’s defi nitely not for those with a fear of hang from the glass roof and up to three buy the table and the rights to use the heights: Dinner in the Sky offers a fi ne chefs, waiters and/or entertainers can fi t name, and are then trained to use the dining experience 50 metres in the air. in the middle of the table. equipment safely. Up to 22 diners are strapped into pad- The idea was the brainchild of Belgian The company doesn’t actually pro- ded seats around a table; this is attached entrepreneur David Ghysels, and was vide the food – corporate clients tend to to a platform and secured by metal launched as a joint venture with The Fun book the ‘restaurant’ and use their own cables to a glass roof. The whole con- Group in 2006. The company hires out external caterers. The company has now traption is attached to a large crane, the crane and the table for events, and teamed up with a variety of partners to which slowly lifts the diners up to 50m also sells rights to partners worldwide to offer Marriage in the Sky and Meetings in before their dinner is served. Chandaliers stage Dinner in the Sky events. Partners the Sky using the same equipment. HOSPITALIS RIGA, LATVIA Hospital Food with a Difference In the Hospitalis restaurant in Riga, Latvia, ‘patients’ can choose to have their dinner in a room designed to look like an operating theatre, or even in a pseudo morgue, with screens broadcast- ing hospital-related scenes from fi lms. Hospitalis was founded by Maris Revalds, chairman of one of Riga’s lead- ing medical institutions, and its creation involved input from several of the city’s hospitals as well as Riga’s Medical History Museum, which donated a range of medical artefacts. The two storey restaurant has sterile fi nd themselves being served soup by a Hospitalis features medical white walls, booths made from hospital ‘nurse’ while dressed in a straightjacket, equipment from the Soviet era beds and shelves stocked with medical sipping cocktails from test tubes and eat- literature. Depending on the menu and ing with surgical instruments. ence, there is a ‘nostalgic hospital lunch’, the experience they choose, diners could For those after a more simple experi- which is served on simple white plates. ● ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 61 BISL In times of change, the leisure industry needs to ensure its importance continues to be recognised by government. In his fi rst column as executive chairman, David Teasdale sets out the ambitions of BISL’s new manifesto THE START OF A NEW ERA write as the new chairman of BISL, which also has a new We’re also wondering how all this change will affect sport executive director in the shape of Andy Sutch. Former and leisure. Our industry is weathering the recession better than I chair, Neil Goulden and CEO Brigid Simmonds have both most – as it did during the last downturn – while emerging facts moved on after many years’ service and we wish them well. like the increase in fi tness memberships which have occurred We’ve spent recent weeks preparing and discussing a new over the last year are a strong statistic for us all to use. manifesto with members. It picks out key themes that matter if we are to grow and continue to make major contributions to MAKING THE CASE FOR LEISURE national and community life. We’ve taken it to Labour, Liberal So, what case should our industry be making to those in Democrat and Conservative conferences, and have talked it power? We must fi rst look for a government that believes in us. through with prospective and present MPs and ministers. We must expect ministers to recognise that the sport and lei- sure sector is a major employer – particularly of young people. CHANGE IS COMING It’s also vital to the economy and to our national life. This will be There’s no doubt the UK is on the cusp of change. We’re full especially true in the period up to and after the 2012 Olympic of questions – will our economy ever be the same again? What and Paralympic Games. The legacy of those events will be criti- kind of government will we get next in the wake of the expenses cal to the success of investment in the Games. scandals and dwindling Labour support and what would Any new government must also understand that people work- Conservative and Liberal Democrat politicians really aim to do? ing in the sport and leisure industry share other concerns and Are we being too ambitious? Surely not. Sport and leisure has grown leaps and bounds in national importance. No longer can government ignore us. No more will serious commentators and MPs dismiss the DCMS as ‘the Ministry for Fun’. We now have real weight, substance and power BISL CONFERENCE 2009, LORD’S CRICKET GROUND This year’s BISL national conference, retary Jeremy Hunt. sponsored by Sky, attracted 200 This interview gave delegates to Lord’s Cricket Ground delegates an insight in St John’s Wood, London. into the changes the The conference was launched by industry might expect the Ernst & Young economic team under a Conservative briefi ng delegates on the latest eco- government. All in nomic statistics, while commentator all, the audience Will Hutton gave some sound advice learned quite a lot, WWW.VISITBRITAINIMAGES.COMPHOTO: on working through a recession. but they were also Delegates then listened to and frustrated by the questioned spokespeople from the questions which were main political parties. Sports minis- left unanswered. BISL ter Gerry Sutcliffe gave a briefi ng on executive director current government policies, Liberal Andy Sutch then gave Democrat culture spokesman Don a briefi ng on the BISL manifesto. best entertainment came from tv star Foster gave an alternative view, and The afternoon saw an expert panel, Magnus Scheving – best known as Sky’s political editor Adam Boulton under Peter Mann’s chairmanship, dis- Sportacus – who invigorated the audi- interviewed Conservative culture sec- cuss a decade of sport. Perhaps the ence with his fi tness messages. 62 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 commitments, like tackling obesity through health and fi tness The BISL manifesto calls on government to recognise campaigns, building communities and improving sustainability. that the sport and leisure industry shares national The new BISL manifesto has specifi c goals. For example, we concerns including tackling obesity and encouraging believe it’s important to change the public debate in relation to participation in sports and activity (above) gambling and alcohol: it’s too easy for politicians to make nega- tive statements and create restrictive policies, when in fact most consistent decisions. Overall, there needs to be a stronger part- people are responsible in the way they gamble and drink socially. nertship effort between government and the various sectors of We want there to be public debate about sport and leisure the industry, such as tourism. An excellent model is provided provision being a statutory right so that we can achieve health by the Physical Activity Alliance which is the joining together of and community goals. In addition, there needs to be a joined-up industry bodies with the Department of Health and the DCMS to tax regime that encourages entrepreneurial growth and sup- action programmes for better health and physical fi tness. PHOTO: DREAMSTIME.COM © ANDRESR ports wider public policy objectives. So that’s a shortlist from our manifesto and I’m already being asked: are we too ambitious? Surely not; sport and lei- PLANNING CHANGES sure has grown in leaps and bounds in national importance. No BISL believes it’s vital that we seek greater fl exibility and speed longer can government ignore us or serious commentators and in the planning process to refl ect the needs of industry. There’s MPs dismiss the DCMS as the ‘Ministry for Fun’. We have real also a need for the Better Regulation Executive to play a deci- weight, substance and power. It’s essential we fl ex our collec- sive role in preventing governments imposing more and more tive muscle and fi ght for better terms. ● burdens on companies and organisations which are trying to stimulate and grow the economy and the industry. Business in Sport and Leisure (BISL) represents the interests of Any new DCMS Secretary of State needs to change the ways private sector companies in the sport and leisure industry. Its that central and local government give out contracts – we all working groups cover liquor licensing, gambling, planning, tour- need better procurement procedures, making for fairer and ism and sport. Details: +44 (0)20 8255 3782 www.bisl.org ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 63 SENIOR’S SOLUTIONS NUMBER 14 Marcus Wareing has avoided the celebrity trap and stuck to what he does best, says Grahame Senior. In these diffi cult times, there are lessons to be learned from this customer-focused approach How to be True to Yourself In these challenging times, it’s more important to focus on the people who matter most; your loyal customers was once accused by the editor of cliff-hanger is that the much vaunted this magazine of being a little bit opening of the new Petrus, due in I elitist in my choice of restaurants September, has now been put off until and hotels. That was long ago and January. Where will it all end? I think this column has demonstrated If you follow the celebrity press, you over the years an involvement with a very could easily be forgiven for thinking that wide range of establishments at every restaurant and hospitality management is price level. Perhaps, therefore, I might all about big egos. be allowed to comment on a return visit to an establishment at the very top of its Hard lessons for hard times game and the very top of the market – Fortunately Marcus Wareing has not and bring out some of the lessons they fallen into that trap. Petrus/Marcus have learned in these tough times. Wareing has long been my favourite res- Above all, they demonstrate very taurant in London and I use it whenever clearly that, no matter what others do, I need to talk to somebody quietly and it behoves each one of us to stick to persuasively in a luxurious environment our best game and deliver the quality where I know that every aspect of the and character that our loyal custom- occasion will be faultlessly delivered. ers expect. Being distracted by fashion, I went there recently and for the fi rst competition or celebrity irrelevancies is a time in many a long year actually ate fool’s game. Celebrity is vanity – exceed- in London’s Knightsbridge and got on from the table d’hote menu. It was ing customer expectations is sanity. with doing what he does best – cooking. Wareing at the top of his game – and it Dear Gordon, meanwhile, has seen fi t was Wareing in person at the top of his Don’t be distracted to create a restaurant in direct competi- game, not some underchef. What was on by fool’s gold tion across the road in Kinnerton Street the plate came directly from him. Marcus Wareing could be forgiven for with a new offering under Wareing’s I noticed that the restaurant was full having been slightly distracted over original brand, Petrus. He even has the but not frantic and had a long conversa- the past year or so. Having fought an dashing Jean Phillipe Susilovic as his tion with restaurant manager Giancarlo extremely high profi le duel with his ‘previ- champion (who was previously part of Princigalli about the current climate. This ous best friend’ Gordon Ramsay, he has the Wareing team in the Berkeley). proved fascinating and demonstrated the wisely retreated to his kitchen at Marcus All this sabre rattling has taken on the kind of clear thinking that goes into get- Wareing at the Berkeley (formerly Petrus) character of a melodrama. The latest ting the best out of diffi cult times. SENIOR’S SEVEN – SEVEN STEPS TO SATISFIED GUESTS 1 Say yes. When someone rings 3 Give them time to develop their make, let them make it and never to make a booking, don’t insist own occasion. If people are in a hurry, say ‘that’s the way we do it here’. on altering the time you can take they’ll let you know. If they don’t want 6 Always offer extra coffee or them (it’s very irritating and serves to be hassled, don’t hassle them. other hot beverages, and don’t no real purpose – they’ll turn up 4 Take time to fi nd out what charge for the second espresso in their own time anyway). they want. Judge their expecta- – it’s always resented. 2 Greet each guest personally and tions and react accordingly. 7 Say goodbye as if you mean ‘au treat them as important. Make sure 5 Genuinely welcome comment and revoir’. See them out with the same they know they’re expected and seat criticism – don’t react against it or attention and courtesy as you saw them with a real sense of welcome. be defensive. If they have a point to them in. They’ll remember you for it. 64 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Marcus Wareing has limited the number of bookings he will take at lunchtime to 48 Putting customers fi rst was clearly the key strategy. They have actually reduced Listening to the customer the number of covers that they will take at lunchtime and given up the practice of Putting the customer fi rst is a ‘turning’ the tables. The reason for this is rule I need to follow very care- entirely customer focused and seems to fully in our new venture at me bang on the money. Howard’s House. Over the past six months since we took over Give every customer the business, we’ve done quite a good experience a bit of face-to-face research Many restaurants will take every booking but also asked some local con- they can and in our more celebrated and tacts to give us their view. We ‘collectable’ establishments this can be thought our dining room was Unexpected feedback at Howard’s House a bad thing for the customer experience. cool and elegant. A group of It has long been the rule on busy nights Salisbury solicitors were rather more Guide 2010, which is a good opportu- and even at lunchtimes for top restau- forthright and described it as ‘dull and nity for some focused marketing. The rants with more demand than they can boring unless it’s full’. We felt our menu starting point is fi nding out what cus- satisfy to ‘turn’ the tables. This means was spot on in terms of target pricing tomers want from a romantic hotel. in practice that the diner is hustled and but a recent article in The Times made As every month goes by, I realise inevitably somewhat less than pleased it absolutely plain that in their view our more and more that assumptions don’t when the restaurant wants its table back à la carte was a little overpriced. We’re work. The only way to fi nd out what for the next bookers. fi xing that by adding some extra value. our customers actually want is to ask In my experience, such a situation can We were fortunate enough to receive them and listen carefully. If it’s good be very distracting. Most importantly, the ‘Britain’s Most Romantic Hotel’ enough for Marcus Wareing, it’s cer- it actually interferes with the ‘contract’ Cesar Award from the Good Hotel tainly good enough for us. between the restaurant and the diner. The diner pays money to use the space and enjoy the food and drink in order in the evening puts huge pressure on the With restaurants at this level (and this to meet his/her objective of conversa- kitchen and the front of house team. That price) diners expect little short of excel- tion, salesmanship or seduction. What doesn’t enhance the experience for the lence. The only way any operation can the diner does not expect is that the res- guests and it doesn’t help the confi dence deliver that consistently is to manage the taurant curtails this process for its own and elan with which the front of house timing to allow the team to deliver their purposes of cramming in extra covers. team deals with service. best performance at the right pace. Marcus Wareing has wisely worked Interestingly enough, Marcus Wareing In a quiet sort of a way, I think out that lunchtimes are limited to a two- has noticed that limiting bookings to 48 Giancarlo Princigalli and Marcus Wareing hour period, whereas the evening shift at lunchtime (down from 60-odd) has have got it right, putting the customers can be fi ve or six hours. The kitchen and not actually made any appreciable differ- fi rst, and the relentless urge to satisfy the restaurant are exactly the same size ence to the revenue but they have seen a every request for a booking a long way on both occasions. Trying to serve the considerable reduction in stress on both second. In this particular situation, less is same number of covers at lunchtime as sides of the service door. defi nitely more. ● ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 65 TRAVEL STAYING CLOSE TO HOME The recession has seen foreign travel drop down the list of priorities for consumers, according to research by PricewaterhouseCoopers. The outlook for 2010 remains bleak, but it could be good news for domestic tourism, reports PwC’s head of research Liz Hall he recession has left a deep mark on the travel and willing to spend more on products and services that they per- leisure industry in 2009 and it is set to leave a bad ceive to have genuine value, while focusing ruthlessly on fi nding T hangover well into 2010. Paying for long holidays was the lowest prices for more commoditised goods. cited as a top priority for consumers when ranking their Nearly half of those polled for the ABTA research now spend spend intentions back in 2008, despite low confi dence levels. more time looking for the right holiday than before, and around Yet a year later, intentions and expectations have been 40 per cent now use the internet for this. UK holidaymakers are shaped by the severity of the recession, with foreign holidays evolving through the recession into price-savvy consumers who slipping in importance on household budgets, in exchange for are investing more time fi nding the best deal. debt repayment and building up savings. Affl uence or easily available credit drove speed of booking Although it remains to be seen just what the UK’s fi nal tour- prior to the downturn, but as discretionary spend is squeezed, ism score card looks like in 2009, travel fundamentals are still there is no longer a race to reserve, and the competition now weak and volumes are still reduced. Low cost options and value lies in getting value. Some 35 per cent of those polled reported have been many travellers’ watchwords. The depreciated pound booking special offers only, and over a third admitted to tak- has been buoyed up Britain’s inbound travel numbers, espe- ing fewer holidays altogether. Over 30 per cent said they stayed cially in London, and hotels in visitor honey pots like Edinburgh in the UK to holiday this summer and the same amount traded have remained busy, albeit at the expense of lower rated busi- down in terms of fl ight options. ness. Domestic holidays and day trips are reported receiving a well-needed boost too. Many low-cost options such as camp- Consumers shop smart ing and caravan sites and holiday parks are also reported to be Brand loyalty appears to have been discarded, which is impact- enjoying a renaissance. There were fewer outbound travellers, ing those leisure businesses that rely on their name only. It but although no one has emerged unscathed by the recession, seems that a new breed of traveller now values price over con- some large operators have still done well. venience, and recognised or previously favoured brands. PwC consumer research carried out in October 2009 and pre- In fact when asked: “Have you changed your fl ying habits sented at the ABTA Conference in the same month suggests since the recession began?”, nearly 20 per cent of respondents that consumer behaviour has continued to evolve during this confi rmed that they are now less loyal to their favourite airline. recession. The research shows that a new breed of leisure con- The research showed that in the long-term, the traveller will pri- sumer is set to emerge from the depths of the downturn and oritise seeking out promotions and using the internet to fi nd the that some of their changes in purchasing behaviour are likely to best deal. They will also spend more time checking prices, and stick after the recession ends. The very same consumer is often will make cheaper fl ights and fl exible packages a priority. 66 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 In the long-term the traveller will prioritise seeking out promotions and using the internet to fi nd the best fl ight deal... Operators can act smart too by Due to the recession domestic, rigorously cutting out unwanted services low-cost holiday options such as camping are enjoying a renaissance and costs and unbundling packages Operators rise to the challenge PwC research shows that consumer sentiment is starting Operators have shown that they too can act smart and can to recover: households don’t expect to be worse off over the deliver what the new consumer wants. Rigorously cutting out next 12 months. Nevertheless, further investigation shows that unwanted services and costs and unbundling packages is just consumer confi dence refl ects optimism surrounding the UK one example of such a trend. With travellers shopping around economy rather than an improvement in their personal fi nancial online even more, winning operators can identify just which part situation with confi dence in employment remaining low. of the holiday a customer values. As the various components It remains hard to tick all the boxes on a recovery in travel of a trip become more separable, travel companies can reduce and hotels – demand is likely to come back slowly and fortunes the selling cost of the holiday by pricing each element of the will be mixed for different operators. The insolvency rate acts package according to how the consumer values it. Unbundling as a barometer for the industry; to date the business failure rate packages means the consumer can pick and mix whatever was 13 per cent higher than in 2008. Despite some recent fail- aspects of a holiday they want. ures, travel companies have suffered the least compared to Successful operators were those that invested in dynamic hospitality and leisure counterparts. While the weak pound and packaging capabilities and focused on e-commerce operations. domestic holidaymaker benefi tted many travel companies, there In 2009, cruises and all-inclusive holidays and mid-haul holi- is also an element of lenders not wishing to add to the com- days increased in popularity, while luxury operators saw a rise in pany casualty list and propping up loss-making business. Ski family and experimental holidays. Europe and the Caribbean’s slopes may be quiet during the 2009/2010 winter season, as will popularity are reported to have fallen, while Egypt and Turkey early summer bookings, and this may mean a ticking time bomb have picked up those seeking sun but not at euro prices. Africa, for some struggling travel companies currently being valiantly including Tunisia, is expected to have a strong 2010. assisted by fi nancial stakeholders. So, the sector faces a challenging 2010, with many operators A tough year ahead knuckling down for a rocky ride for the next few months and Consumer spending is expected to have declined in 2009 and hoping things pick up during the year. Thomas Cook research remain subdued in 2010. Household budgets will still be under suggests an increase in the number of people planning a hol- pressure and promotions and discounts are likely to remain iday abroad next year but there are many reasons to remain important and to exert a downward pressure on prices, although cautious. Much is riding on the global economic recovery. ● capacity reductions will mitigate this. Indeed, industry-wide mainstream travel capacity cuts by UK operators are estimated PricewaterhouseCoopers fi rst unveiled this research at around 30 per cent over the last two years. at the ABTA Conference in Barcelona in October 2009 ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 67 leisure-kit.net PRODUCT FOCUS Wherever you are in the world, fi nd the right products and services 24 / 7 by logging on to Leisure Management’s free search engine www.leisure-kit.net Froch becomes For more information, or to contact any of these Lonsdale ambassador companies, log on to www.leisure-kit.net and Boxing equipment and apparel type the company name under ‘keyword search’ brand Lonsdale has signed WBC Super-Middleweight champion Carl Froch as a brand ambassador. Giant globes unveiled As part of the deal, Froch is to fi ght in Lonsdale gloves and apparel, the by Vivifeye modellers fi rst of which was his points-decision Vivifeye has launched a range of victory last month to retain his title. giant globes, suitable for both in- Sunny Singh, sponsorship manag- side and outdoor usage. er for Lonsdale said: “The team look Available in two varieties – forward to supporting Carl as he es- sealed-air and cold-air – and up to tablishes himself as the best of the 32.8ft (10m) in diameter, the globes best at Super-Middleweight level.” can be either stationary or rotating, leisure-kit.net keywords depending on the client’s needs. lonsdale boxing Sealed-air globes have a printed and sewn external skin, with an inner airtight PVC bladder that leisure-kit.net keyword seals the air inside, and are suit- vivifeye able for permanent installations. Cold-air globes contain a con- in pressure and temperature. tinuously running blower in order to Additionally, any internally illumi- maintain an optimum pressure and nated globe must be constructed these globes can adapt to changes to the cold-air confi guration. Organic beauty range Relais & Châteaux launched by Thalgo releases cookbook Marine-based skincare company Luxury independent hotel group Thalgo has unveiled a new organic Relais & Châteaux has revealed facial skincare range. a new cookbook with nearly 100 Called Terre et Mer, the wholly-or- recipes from 29 establishments. ganic products are Ecocert-certifi ed Chefs’ recipes include Heston and the containers are made from Blumenthal’s ‘Sound of the Sea’ recyclable glass and plastics. from the Fat Duck, which should Intended to be a refl ection of the ideally be eaten while listening to brand’s dual sense of belonging – to the sound of waves on an iPod. the sea and to Mediterranean plant Other participants include Ray- life – the range comprises a profes- mond Blanc, Alain Roux and sional facial and eight products. Michael Caines. Each dish is ac- leisure-kit.net keyword leisure-kit.net keyword companied by a wine suggestion thalgo relais from Harrison Vintners. 68 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 leisure-kit.net the search engine for leisure buyers BrightSign units installed at the London Aquarium A total of 80 BrightSign HD110 units have been installed as part of a multi- million pound refurbishment at the Sea Life London Aquarium in the UK. Each unit houses an HD Martin’s FlexDOT™ LCD display built into a bespoke metal enclosure, with infor- full-screen and multi-zone playlists LEDs light the way mation on the animals in each tank to be created. BrightSign units have A custom-made wall of Martin rotating on a pre-set interval basis. also been installed at Legoland in FlexDOT™ LED stringlights has Playlists for the units are creat- Germany and Sea Life in Portugal. been installed within the Under ed with the BrightAuthor software nightclub in Malmö, Sweden. application (included with the leisure-kit.net keyword Surrounding the Under dance fl oor BrightSign controllers) and enable brightsign on two sides, the LED wall is ap- proximately 2m high and 10m long and is made up of 2,100 individually Matrix introduces KRANKcycle equipment controllable FlexDOT pixels. A stationary hand-cycle with in- The individually-controllable lights dependent crank arms called the also mean that a variety of shapes KRANKcycle has debuted. and patterns can be constructed to The latest innovation from the suit the ambiance of the club night. creator of spinning, Johnny G, the leisure-kit.net keywords cross-training tool is said to pro- martin professional vide an effective cardiovascular workout while building upper-body strength, addressing muscle imbal- ances and improving posture. Either for use independently or as part of a group, the KRANKcy- cle is being launched in the UK by leisure-kit.net keywords Matrix Fitness Systems. matrix fi tness Cannon launches Klafs design exclusive dual air hand dryer glass steam cabins The Cannon Air Jet is a dual air Leading manufacturer of sauna, spa hand dryer, intended to dry hands and wellness installations, KLAFS, in just 10 seconds, while also low- has completed the installation of two ering energy costs. exclusively designed glass steam- Sensors provide touch-free op- rooms for a restored brine bath eration as an anti-microbial fi nish complex called the VitaSol Therme helps to eliminate cross contami- in Bad Salzufl en, Germany (above). nation. The dryer is said to save Designed in collaboration with up to 66 per cent in energy costs the 4A Architekten group, both while also using 75 per cent less structures feature a glass-enclosed energy than traditional dryers. steambath with green and red Cannon also provides a range of coloured tessera seating benches. leisure-kit.net keyword other hygiene-related products, in- leisure-kit.net keyword cannon cluding hand cleansers. klafs ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 69 leisure-kit.net TOR Systems unveils Maxim Solution software Leading provider of visitor engagement solutions, TOR Systems, has unveiled its latest scheme for use within the museums, heritage and vistor attractions sectors. Dogfi ght simulator takes Called Maxim Solution, and operating on industry off in health clubs standard platforms, the scheme has been designed to combine stability, ‘Exergaming’ company Instyle Fit- speed and resilience with cutting-edge technology. It includes integrated ness has launched Dogfi ght: a fl ight touchscreen PC-POS units as well as the option to integrate real-time simulator that works in conjunction internet sales via MaximWeb, which can then be linked to external retail, with a recumbent exercise bike. fi nancial, catering and CRM software as required. Ticketstor offers further Users propel the plane by pedal- web sales capabilities for clients or- leisure-kit.net keywords ling, and control the simulator via ganising temporary events. tor systems spring-loaded handles, with environ- ments including a tropical group of islands and a busy cityscape. There Blue Spa unveils range of eco-friendly seaweed is a choice of aircraft in which to A range of environmentally- undertake missions, and riders can sourced seaweed from waters take part in airborne battles against around Scotland is to be sold via other players in the gym. suppliers Blue Spa and Leisure. leisure-kit.net keyword The seaweed is sourced from instyle certifi ed areas with good water and is quality tested by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency. Harvested by hand, so it will grow back, and then dried un- dercover, the seaweed is then packaged in its dry form. It is ideal for thalassotherapy treatments and leisure-kit.net keywords can last up to 12 months. blue spa DELL and OPI join Green touring from forces for laptop range Philips Lighting Computer manufacturer Dell has LED-based lighting from Royal introduced 26 exclusive colour Philips Electronics has helped choices for some of its laptops as contribute to an overall reduction part of an exclusive partnership with in energy consumption on Radio- nail varnish company OPI. head’s latest tour. The colour choices are available for The company’s Color® Reach the Dell Inspiron Mini, Inspiron and Powercore product was used, Studio laptops, and include some of which has the capability to project OPI’s most popular shades. up to 5,000 lumens of light over a The OPI colour options has been distance of 500ft (152.4m). Five of available in the US from November the Color® Reach modules were 2009, and will be soon elsewhere. specifi ed for the South American leisure-kit.net keyword leisure-kit.net keywords leg of the In Rainbows tour and fi t- opi philips lighting ted to the front truss of the stage. 70 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 SET YOUR SIGHTS N A SMALL FORTUNE Whether you are looking for a valuable addition to your current business, or a start-up project to enhance your earnings potential, Lasersport and Pulse Ranger have the answer. Ideal for corporate entertainment, team building, or just as an enjoyable day out for groups of any ages, both Lasersport clay pigeon shooting, and the Pulse SHOOT TO THRILL Ranger next-generation combat game provide an adrenaline buzz which safely puts paintballing in the shade. 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YVUXZOTMTKKJGYYKYYSKTZY ■ 7RGTTOTMGVVROIGZOUTY GVVKGRY L Services Reviews L Catering ■ 7XUPKIZ\OGHOROZ_ LKGYOHOROZ_ ■ 6VZOUTGVVXGOYGRY SGYZKXVRGTTOTM SPORT ARTS HERITAGE ■ -[TJOTMHOJY ■ ,IUTUSOIOSVGIZ COMMUNITY EDUCATION 6LÀIKYOT!3UTJUT5UXZN:U[ZN,GYZ:U[ZN:U[ZN>KYZ >GRKY [email protected] 07976 259152 www.rqa.com K!SGXZOTZG_RUX'N[SHKXZYRKOY[XKIUSZ! flooring design and build CONSULTANTS AND INTERIM MANAGERS L Management Options Appraisal L Procurement - facilities & services insurance Visit leisure-kit.net for the L Projects - Feasibility to Completion L Performance review – NPDO specialists latest news about products 01785 211616 and services for the leisure [email protected] industry and subscribe to the www.c3consultants.co.uk FREE fortnightly product report To advertise your product finance To book your and reach over 20,000 advert CALL leisure buyers call now on +44 (0)1462 471908 or email John +44 (0)1582 607970 [email protected] Jan +44 (0)1462 471909 Julie +44 (0)1462 471919 subscribe online at Nadeem +44 (0)1462 471902 www.leisuresubs.com Tessa +44 (0)1462 471903 or call +44 (0)1462 431385 72 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 lockers saunas spas sunbeds sports flooring The Nationwide Sports Hall floor refurbishment specialists Tel: (01684) 567504 Fax: (01684) 563101 Email: [email protected] www.peterdorrell.co.uk ski slopes & ice rinks Book your advert on our website Units 2 & 3, Torbay Business Park Woodview Road, Paignton TQ4 7HP and be seen by Tel: 01803 555885 Fax: 01803 556767 over 14,000 buyers every month. personal badges lighting soft play No.1 for personalised badges L range of designs and finishes L competitive prices across orders of all sizes L ‘call off’ system means we personalise badges as and when Call the Sales Team Today you need them - no wasted stock AUSTEN-LEWIS LTD to Discuss Your Booking For more information call Market leaders in the hire of big tops, 020 8614 8880 or tiered seating and associated products. 01462 431385 email: [email protected] Chelworth Park, Cricklade, Swindon, Wilts www.biggroup.com SN6 6HE Tel: (01793) 750599 Fax: (01793) 752072 www.leisuremanagement.co.uk membership and bookings solutions play inflatables uniforms and corporate workwear play equipment Member Satisfaction Surveys PLAY SOLUTIONS FOR To book your advert CALL MAJOR ATTRACTIONS Online Member Satisfaction John +44 (0)1582 607970 Jan +44 (0)1462 471909 Employee Climate Surveys % "! $ Julie +44 (0)1462 471919 Nadeem +44 (0)1462 471902 www.sasta.ie % $ Tessa +44 (0)1462 471903 % # !" % $ !! ! To subscribe to Leisure Management log on to www.leisuresubs.com email: [email protected] tel +44 1462 471913 fax % +44 1462 433909. Annual subscription rates are UK £38, Europe £49 rest of world £69, students UK £19 Leisure Management is published four times a year by The Leisure Media Company Limited, Portmill House, Portmill Western Log Group Lane, Hitchin, Herts SG5 1DJ, UK and is distributed in the USA by SPP, 75 Aberdeen Road, Emigsville, PA 17318-0437. Forest Products Centre, Periodicals postage paid @ Manchester, PA POSTMASTER. Send US address changes to Leisure Management, c/o PO Box Design, Development & Analysis Cwmafan, Port Talbot, SA12 9AB 437, Emigsville, PA 17318-0437 USA Tel: 01639 896715 The views expressed in print are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the publisher The Leisure Media Phone: + 353 1 6102221 Company Limited. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted E-mail: [email protected] www.westernloggroup.com in any form or by means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recorded or otherwise without the prior permission of the copyright holder. Printed by The Manson Group Printers. © The Leisure Media Company Ltd 2010 ISSN 0266/9102 ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 73 ODD JOB Neil Brand is one of just a handful of silent fi lm accompanists in the UK, bringing silent movies alive with his improvised piano playing. He tells Magali Robathan what makes his job so special Silent fi lm accompanist What does your job involve? My job is to turn up at the cinema where a silent fi lm is being screened, sit down at the piano and improvise the music that goes with the movie. I try and tailor the score so it’s exactly right for the fi lm – so that it matches all the moods, all the action and the spot effects [sound effeccts that are created Profi le What has driven this interest? live]. The music is completely unique Neil Brand has been accompany- DVD has really helped; people who are to each screening. That’s what makes ing silent fi lms for over 25 years, interested in these fi lms can get their own it special; because I’m improvising, the playing regularly at the National copies now. You can’t reproduce that music is only happening at that time, in Film Theatre on London’s South feeling of being in a theatre with music that place, at that moment. Bank, throughout the UK and at and an audience though, and that’s what fi lm festivals and special events brings people out to the cinemas. What do you bring to the movie? around the world I also think the turn of the millen- It’s the job of a silent fi lm pianist to build Training originally as an actor, nium drove interest in silent fi lms. Before a bridge between the age of the fi lm and Brand also works as a play- 2000, many people still saw them as the modern audience. The music should wright, performer and composer. museum pieces that you had to make make a movie that was made 80 or 100 In 2007 he co-starred with come- a huge effort to enjoy. In a strange way, years ago understandable for modern dian Paul Merton in Merton’s after 2000, many young people accepted cinemagoers. Because the fi lms were Silent Clowns show – a perform- the whole of the 20th century on the made so long ago, the music has to pull ance celebrating silent comedies. same terms, and silent fi lms from the the audience immediately into the action. He has also toured with his own 1920s seemed no more distant than The The wrong music can kill a silent show The Silent Pianist Speaks, Beatles. There is now a huge amount of movie. I’ve seen a Buster Keaton comedy in which he explores the role of interest from students and young people played alongside a really bad score and music in silent movies. in these movies. It’s one of the things I’ve not get any laughs. It was heartbreaking. been most delighted about in this job. How much does the music vary between Are there any elements of your job that surprise people? different screenings of the same fi lm? People tend to be surprised that I do this job at all. There are A huge amount. The biggest infl uence is the audience; you have only around six or seven silent fi lm accompanists in this country, to tailor what you do to what you think the audience needs. and only around 50 or 60 in the whole world. There’s a huge difference between playing to 50 school children and playing to a fi lm society. What’s the most diffi cult part of your job? I started my career in theatre, and this job is very theatrical. The concentration is so intense that sometimes I get very emo- You have to gauge what the audience is feeling and how the tionally affected by the fi lm. I once accompanied a 1920s music is working as you go along. Even though I’m sitting with war movie called The Big Parade when I was going through my back to the audience and staring at the fi lm, the feeling in a traumatic time in my own life. The movie is very painful and the room is absolutely palpable. explores loss and grief, and during the fi lm I sort of lost it. I felt almost like I’d had a breakdown in public. Afterwards my musi- Has interest in silent movies grown recently? cian friends in the audience came up and gave me a big hug Since I started doing this job 25 years ago I’ve seen interest in because they could hear the pain in my playing. silent fi lms skyrocket. There are so many cinemas and festivals showing silent movies now; it’s just growing and growing. How do you prepare for a screening? I recently played at the Barbican in London, which is a The best preparation is just to be as relaxed as possible. I look 300-seater, and every single seat was fi lled. At the end of the at the scene and work out the subtext of what’s happening. screening people were cheering and clapping. That wouldn’t In a way the music is the character that you can’t see. It’s have happened 15 years ago, let alone when I started. another interpretation of the fi lm. ● 74 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 NEWS Diary Dates 19 JANUARY 2010 merce, rapidly developing overseas 25 FEBRUARY 2010 markets, ticketing, and accommodation FSPA Sports Industry and transport during the 2012 Games. 5th TiLEzone London Think Tank Speakers include Lord Digby Jones and London Transport Museum, Soho Hotel, London, UK Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MP. London, UK Following successful industry think Contact Helen James This annual event is being held at the tanks in 2008 where speakers included Tel +44 (0)207 395 7500 London Transport Museum and will fea- representatives from LOCOG and Sport Email [email protected] ture a TiLEzone seminar on ‘Enhancing England, the Federation of Sports and Web www.ukinbound.org/ the Leisure Experience’, which will be Play Associations (FSPA) is holding a convention2010.php open to everyone. sports industry think tank dinner for Contact Richard Curtis members of its sporting goods (SGIA) 04 FEBRUARY 2010 Tel +44 (0)1985 846181 and golf (BGIA) associations. The event Fax +44 (0)1985 846163 will focus on the topic of retail and fea- The Tourism Society: Tourism Email [email protected] tures guest speaker Brendon Dorian and Transport Web www.tileweb.org from the Global Retail Network. University of Wolverhampton, UK Contact Milly Durrant This event will cover the highly com- 25 FEB 2010 Tel 02476 414 999 x207 plex and interdependent relationship Email [email protected] between tourism and transport. It will How Safe is Your Sport? Web www.sportsandplay.com cover the new international high speed Taking a Lead in Safeguarding rail links competing with domestic air Children in Sport Conference 25 JAN 2010 travel as well as the controversial topic Xcel Leisure Centre, Surrey, UK of airport expansion and airport ‘hubs’. This national conference is being hosted LPF Seminar: 5-a-side Soccer The future of low cost airlines, cruising jointly by Coventry Sports Foundation The offi ces of Cushman & and ferries will also be discussed. and the Geese Theatre Company. It is Wakefi eld LLP, London, UK Contact Daniel Moriss-Jeffery aimed at those responsible for shap- LPF speakers give an overview of the Tel +44(0)286614636 ing and delivering the future of sport, 5-a-side market and take a look at the Fax +44(0)286614637 as well as anyone with a professional growth of the Goals brand and the com- Email [email protected] interest in the issues associated with ponent parts of its success. Web www.tourismsociety.org/events/ safeguarding children. Contact Michael Emmerson tourism_amp_transport Contact Aman Surey Tel +44 (0)1462 471932 Tel +44 (0)2476 856 956 Email [email protected] 10 FEBRUARY 2010 Email [email protected] Web www.leisurepropertyforum.org Web www.covsf.com National Farm Attractions 02-03 FEBRUARY 2010 Network Annual Conference & 03-05 MAR 2010 Trade Exhibition 2010 Event Production Show Drayton Manor Park, UK Legacy Lives 2010 Grand Hall, Olympia, London, UK Annual conference from the National Radisson Edwardian The Event Production Show is for those Farm Attraction Network – the only Legacy Lives is the only international involved in producing events including independent national co-operative conference with legacy at the heart of concerts, festivals, sporting events and organisation for leisure attraction busi- its agenda. It is the must attend event corporate or private events. Speakers nesses within the countryside. for everyone involved in the major sport- include Michael Eavis, founder of the Contact Sarah Althorpe ing events arena. Glastonbury Festival; Lee Bailey, sen- Tel 01536 513397 Contact Kathryn Weir ior sponsorship and events manager, Email [email protected] Tel 0207 631 5500 Diageo GB; and Paul Samuels, executive Web www.farmattractions.net Email [email protected] director of sponsorship at AEG. Web www.legacylives.com Contact Michelle Tayton 18 FEB 2010 Tel +44 (0) 2476 571174 18-20 MAY 2010 Fax +44 (0) 2476 571172 Setting the Tone: Sending an Email [email protected] Inclusive Marketing Message The Hotel Show Web www.oceanmedia.co.uk Woking Leisure Centre, Woking, UK Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai This event will explore the key promo- It is forecasted that new hotel develop- 03-05 FEBRUARY 2010 tional messages that can be used to ments across the Middle East will be target different market segments. It will worth USD30bn through to 2010/11. UKinbound Convention 2010 also cover social media and the creation The Hotel Show is the region’s most Yorkshire Racecourse, York, UK of inclusive websites. important supply, fi t-out and service Taking place in York, this convention will Contact Amy Smith exhibition for the hospitality market. The focus on preparing your business for the Tel +44 (0)114 257 2069 event is an opportunity for anyone look- upturn in the economy and for the 2012 Fax +44 (0)114 257 0664 ing to do business in this region. Olympic and Paralympic Games. Topics Email amy@inclusivefi tness.org Tel +971 (0)4 438 0355 will include business recovery, e-com- Web www.inclusivefi tness.org Web www.thehotelshow.com ISSUE 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 75 tel: +44 (0)1384 295733 email: [email protected]