Innovative Leisure, the UK based interactive family attractions specialist, has announced a high ropes ‘first’ for the UK market with the installation of a new Sky Trail high ropes course at Planters Garden Centre in Tamworth, Staffordshire.
Proving an instant hit with visitors to the venue and an excellent additional revenue generator for the owners, in more ways than one, the Navigator Sky Trail course has brought a totally new dimension to the garden centre and is creating a huge amount of interest throughout the sector.
Planters is already known as one of the leading garden centres in the UK and among other facilities features an award winning restaurant and the UK’s largest garden centre pet section.
The high ropes course adds further to the attraction of the venue and visitor numbers have increased significantly since it opened, with both children and adults taking the opportunity to try it out. Takings at the adjacent restaurant are also reported to have risen substantially as a result of increased visitor dwell time following the opening of the new Sky Trail, while repeat visits have risen considerably too.
The seven pole course is 10m in height and features two levels, each incorporating a variety of fun, challenging, ‘dangerous yet safe’ experiences carried out in perfect safety. Patrons in full harnesses are attached to the unique Sky Trail continuous belay system throughout the course. Access up to and down from both levels is via two stairways on each level and all ages and skill levels are catered for by a series of testing elements. The lower level provides an easier challenge than the higher level, with the majority of patrons progressing from the first to the second as they gain in confidence.
A minimum height restriction of 1m for youngsters accompanied by adults or 1.3m if unaccompanied is enforced and unlike other more traditional high ropes courses, participants are able to pass slower users at intermediate platforms using a unique node connection system, thus helping to ensure excellent throughput and a more enjoyable experience. Up to 30 participants can enjoy the course at any one time.
The Sky Trail has also given Planters a number of brand new marketing opportunities in addition to its more familiar promotional activities, while it has opened up several new market areas too. The garden centre has been ‘overwhelmed’ with requests for children’s party packages, while it has also received numerous enquiries for company team building sessions and events, as well as requests from the fire service for training purposes.
A very happy Planters owner, Gerald Ingram, said: “The Sky Trail high ropes course has been a massive success. It’s given us a totally new dimension, currently unique in the UK garden centre sector, and although we were well-known before its installation, it has really put us on the map as a destination garden centre that people want to visit.
"It’s opened us up to whole new markets, with numerous family groups now coming and spending lengthy periods with us, while also giving us the opportunity to tap into the corporate sector. We’ve even had people returning three or four times a week because they’ve had such an enjoyable experience – and good value for money.
“We are absolutely delighted with how well it’s going and the benefits it is providing to the business as a whole,” he continued. “We’ve seen a big uplift in restaurant sales, partly from Sky Trail users but also from spectators who are spending longer on site.
"Also we live in the age of the B & Q gardener and I'm hoping that with Sky Trail we will engage with older teenagers so that in 10 years time when they have a house and garden of their own, Planters will be their first choice for gardening because they will be familiar with us.”
Innovative Leisure has enjoyed exceptionally strong sales of its high ropes courses within the UK and European market since the opening of the first example over two years ago, with numerous installations during that time in various sectors.
Commenting on this latest example, company Managing Director Phil Pickersgill said: “The opening of the high ropes course at Planters Garden Centre opens up another market sector for these popular attractions. We have been pleasantly surprised by the response from visitors to the venue and I think it’s fair to say the operators themselves have been too.
“It’s been a huge hit from the word go and has given them a new dimension which is not only helping to increase visitor numbers but is also increasing dwell time, with the inevitable positive impact on revenues elsewhere.
"Planters have also done an exceptional job with local marketing, recruitment, staff uniforms and their superb new Planters/Sky Trail logo. This has all helped create the success story we are seeing on site this summer.”