County Durham tourist attraction Adventure Valley has invested almost £200,000 to boost its facilities as it prepares to welcome back families
The Durham adventure park – winner of the the tourism and hospitality prize at the North East Business Awards last year - has used its time while closed to invest in brand new facilities for families and children to enjoy after months of lockdown.
Investments include a £100,000 spend on a mini train ride that can take up to 14 passengers.
To use more of its outdoor space, the Brasside-based park has also invested £80,000 in a new external play dome, complete with a climbing pyramid with three-dimensional nets, bouncing routes, climbing walls and slides.
A further £15,000 has been spent on a new outdoor aqua blaster, where children can fire water at different targets.
Owner Marco Calzini said: “Lockdown restrictions over the past 12 months have been an incredibly difficult time for us, yet we haven’t stood still.
“We wanted to ensure that when families do return to us, we give them an experience that was worth waiting for and even more fun and thrilling adventures. We are relieved to finally be opening our doors once again and cannot wait to welcome people back.”
Adventure Valley gained business advice from Robson Laidler Accountants in Durham, which secured the park the full amount of a Business Interruption Insurance Claim due to Covid-19, as well as strategy planning and cashflow forecasting to make investment decisions to futureproof the business.
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Mr Calzini said: “The business advisors at Robson Laidler are an integral part of our investment planning strategy, helping us to secure suitable funds and manage cashflow to enable us to make these decisions.”
Robson Laidler director John Holbrook added: “It’s been difficult to see successful businesses such as Adventure Valley have to close their doors and stop trading due to the pandemic. “We have worked closely with Marco to help his business not only survive during these times but prepare to come out the other side and thrive.
"Our aim is to make a positive difference to our clients and the greater community, and we are confident in the financial gain that this investment will bring to the business as well as the positive impact it will make to many families who are excited to have fun days out together again. As a father myself I cannot wait to bring my family to the park and try the new activities.”
Adventure Valley has now reopened its Mini Golf to the public and the full park is taking bookings ahead of reopening on April 12.