New adventure park supported with funding from Santander UK
Kidspace Adventure Holdings (KAHL) has begun construction of its fourth site and second Hobbledown adventure park, located on over 100 acres in Hounslow Heath, London.
After a £13m investment, Hobbledown West London is due to open in the Summer of 2022 and will feature a range of indoor and outdoor adventure play that will be the first of its kind in the UK, amidst a wide variety of animals, alongside an adrenaline village that will include zip wires and high rope adventure courses, offering unique family days out.
KAHL has also secured a new £9m banking facility with Santander UK, which will play a key part in funding the development and helping KAHL realise its ambition of becoming a leading visitor attractions business in the UK, delivering extraordinary days out through immersive and magical play for all the family.
The development of the Hobbledown brand comes on the back of an exceptional performance from KAHL’s existing Hobbledown site in Epsom since the easing of lockdown restrictions for the business starting on 12 April. Since that date, and despite ongoing restrictions that have reduced capacity and prevented the operation of certain activities, like for like revenue at the site in the 16 weeks to 1 August was up 51% on the comparable period in 2019. Including the business’ two indoor sites, which were not allowed to open until five weeks later, total revenue for the group was up 40% in the period.
Richard Farley, director, Kidspace Adventure Holdings, said: “We are delighted to have secured £9m of funding and support from Santander UK for our new Hobbledown adventure park and zoo in West London.
From the outset, Santander UK’s Growth Capital team recognised KAHL’s vision and desire to be a market leader in the children’s visitor attraction sector. It was vital for KAHL to have a lender who clearly understood the operational intricacies of the business and who are equally enthusiastic about its expansion programme.”
David French, director, Growth Capital at Santander UK said: “We are delighted to help fund the construction of a second Hobbledown, building on KAHL’s excellent existing sites. The company is growing quickly and this complex funding package has been tailored to its unique needs.”