Q&A with Kate Quaintance-Blackford, Founder of QLP Holdings (Superbowl UK)
Name:
Kate Quaintance-Blackford
Role:
Founder and Director of QLP Holdings (umbrella company for the Superbowl UK operations) along with my brothers Mark and Paul with whom I run the business
Who are Superbowl UK?
An independent family-run operator of bowling centres with associated leisure facilities including Crazy Club soft play, Sega Prize Zone and our Boutique Bar & Diner. Where size allows we can also add our Putters indoor golf, Laser Quest, Ninja Tag and/or Darts Vibe operations.
How many locations do Superbowl UK currently have?
12 sites spread across the north of England, East Anglia and south Wales
Target locations?
Established leisure destinations including leisure parks and shopping centres or town centre sites with a good daytime and night-time footfall as well as town centre regeneration projects
How many new sites are you targeting?
We are not number focussed and will not compromise on site quality for the sake of site quantity but we would love to open at least six new sites over the next 12-18 months, preferably including operations across the South and Midlands.
Size requirements?
Our flyer states 14,000 sq ft to 22,000 sq ft which is the ideal range however we are currently looking at a number of sites offering only 10-12,000 sq ft in quality infill locations and we have the flexibility to do so. If the site is right we will try to work within the constraints. That said the column spacing (for the lanes) and ceiling height (3.5m for the soft play area) need to be accommodating when we are looking at existing space conversions.
Additional requirements?
Good levels of footfall across both daytime and evening is probably our key requirement.
Planning consent?
Changes to the planning use classes order has complicated this compared with the previous D2 use classification but our use is pretty non-contentious so where a change of use is needed we are happy to agree conditional deals.
Freehold or Leasehold?
Leasehold, with a landlord/developer partner who acknowledges the benefits that our family-based operation can bring to the scheme as a whole.
Recent openings or new locations in the pipeline?
Our most recent opening was the 14-lane operation in The Glass Works in Barnsley town centre in October 2021 and developers are now on site in Bishop Auckland where we are taking space on an out-of-town retail scheme.
Contact details?
Via our retained agent Neil Richmond of Neil Richmond & Co
Email – neil@nrandco.co.uk
Tel – 07785 253041
