Conkers Day Visitor Attraction, National Forest, Leicestershire & Derbyshire
We carried out the market assessment, financial modelling, business planning, planning application, a £16 million day visitor attraction in the Heart of the National Forest. Conkers attracts 220,000 visitors per annum.

Conkers is the focal point for tourism, leisure and recreational visits in the National Forest and has raised the profile of the National Forest making it a prime destination for tourism (specialist activity, day visitors, short break & long stay markets) in the East Midlands.

Our sister company’s operational responsibility covers a 120-acre site which includes three restaurants / cafes, interactive and hand-on interpretative elements, an education programme, a comprehensive corporate offer functions and conference), a successful events programme, an amphitheatre, trails, adventure play, indoor play and an assault course.   Since opening PSCL has identified product development opportunities to increase revenue and generate repeat visits.

Brockholes, Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside
We worked with the Trust’s project team to prepare a business plan, which has been used to successfully gain £8 million in funding, for Brockholes a new ‘flagship‘ wildlife visitor experience, near Preston.

This involved carrying out a market review in terms of the visitor attraction and tourism sectors, a demographic analysis, concept development preparing a penetration analysis, producing a detailed  financial model and carrying out a risk analysis.  We also advised on pre and post opening marketing initiatives and management options.  The business plan was used to support a successful funding application.

Previously we had carried a feasibility study for the Trust.

Hylton Castle and Dene, Sunderland
Working with Sunderland City Council, Castle in the Community and Friends of Hylton Dene we were commissioned to develop future scenarios for Hylton Castle and prepare a business case for the development options.  This builds upon our earlier work which involved jointly preparing an Audience Development Plan.

Hylton Castle is compromised of two buildings, a former four storey gatehouse, which was built by Sir William Hylton in the 14th Century and St Catherine’s Chapel which we understand was built in the 15th Century.   The gatehouse and chapel are both Grade 1 listed structures and the gatehouse, chapel and grounds are designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

Our work included carrying out a wide ranging consultation exercise, competitive and market review, options appraisal, preparing a trading profile, advising on management options and carrying out a risk assessment.  In terms of developing the options is was very important to ensure that proposals reflected the sensitive nature of the overall site and the keen interest of the local community.

Visitor Centre/Catering, Littlehampton, West Sussex
We evaluated the catering requirements of a new centre on Littlehampton waterfront (The Littlehampton Experience). This included examining the market projections, development considerations, market testing, identifying income streams and operating options.   The cafe is located within a wider youth hostel.

Oaksey Park – Business Planning and Financial Modelling, Wiltshire

An award winning holiday home development.  Our work focussed on preparing the business strategy, including financial modelling and planning advice to develop 12 second homes in the Cotswolds.  We worked with an architect to deliver the project.

Oasis Forest Holiday Village, Cumbria
Carried out the product development work on a new ‘breed’ of sustainable forest holiday villages from the initial concept design through to carrying out a market assessment, public consultation, planning, development strategy, bench-marking exercise, developing the business plan and project supervision for the Oasis Village.

The development includes 750 accommodation units, restaurants, retail and entertainment areas and a village centre.

The ‘Village’ also includes a spa and a large sports and fitness centre.  The development value is £120 million per village and brings considerable economic impact on the local rural and wider regional economy – both during the construction and operational phases. Oasis was acquired by Centre Parcs.

Sport and Health International Institute Kuwait (SHIIK)
Providing detailed business planning and financial modelling advice to this major Middle East Consortium on four major mixed leisure and tourism projects as well as a related scheme for the Kuwaiti National Cinema Company.  One project has now received planning consent and is at an advanced stage of analysis and final design.