As with many entrepreneurs, the idea for the business was borne out of frustration from not being able to find a quality product and service they were looking for. Mark and Gillian Baldwin had a young family and grew tired of visiting play centres that all had similar themes, poor quality food and didn’t cater at all for the parents. They became increasingly aware of other people having the same disappointing experiences, so Mark and Gillian decided to do something about it. With previous experience of starting several small businesses (some of them on a part time basis), Mark and Gillian had the idea for a high quality, innovatively themed children’s play centre, that offered a high standard of healthy food and refreshments, aimed at kids and parents.
The first issue was location. This is crucial for this type of of business and they had to overcome numerous planning and highway issues before securing tenancy on the ‘perfect’ unit based on Prescot Business Park in Merseyside. Major alterations had to be made to the premises, including utility services, car parks etc., all of which added significant cost to the project. The project was planned to be funded via personal and bank funding, with (hopefully) some grant assistance. Mark and Gillian carried out initial market research before finally deciding on the theme of ‘Space’ but wanted it to be fun based with an educational element. They designed their own logo with pink and blue colours, which worked extremely well in the look and feel of the branding. A business plan had been developed, but Mark felt it needed further development and input from an experienced business coach.
Mark and Gillian signed up to the High Growth Programme in November 2008 to receive 3 days of coaching support, specifically focused on business planning and marketing. The support received from the High Growth business coach included;
• ‘Challenging’ the business plan – making the Directors rethink some aspects of the business
• Helping to ‘get the vision across’ in the business plan
• Clarifying the potential revenue streams for the business
• Establishing minimum capacity levels to ensure the business was viable
• Encouraging Mark and Gillian to carry out further, more detailed market research
• Help with the funding plan
• Giving Mark and Gillian more confidence in the business plan
• Obtained bank and some Grant funding
• Space World opened in July 2009
• Very busy start - customers visits ahead of plan and gradual increase since the opening
• Excellent customer feedback
• Business ahead of initial sales and profit forecasts
• Now also selling products and introducing new ideas for events aimed at adults
• Currently negotiating for second Space World site
• Won ‘Best New Business’ at the Knowsley Business Awards
• Excellent local press coverage and are continuing to build the brand
