Fiels query

[Bigdog]

Fields query

I was wondering why it is that in a country with weather as crappy as the UK, why aren't there more indoor ranges?

Surely they could make enough to get by, offering night play & year round accessability.

If only I had the money & was masochistic enough, maybe I would give it a try. Oh well.

 

[jonhaley]

Cos we're real men in the UK...

Seriously though, I'm sure its cost related. You can buy a decent bit of land for £x but if you want a building covering it too it'll cost you 10 times that (literally).

Secondly, your average punter wants to play woodland paintball. Like it or not, most of them want to put on the camo and 'shoot' each other in the woods. Paintball was born in the woods and I'm certain it will always have a presence there.

 

[Liz]

And don't forget taxes. Council tax on buildings, especially ones used for sports of any kind, can be massive. I remember a local riding school turning it's indoor arena into a storage barn when the rules changed, as they couldn't afford to keep using it for customer lessons due to local taxes.
Add on massive buildings insurance, lighting etc & the costs really add up.

 

[jonhaley]

Very true. Also, if you can get planning permission for a building there are usually more profitable things that can be done with the space....offices, flats, storage etc.

Having said all this, indoor sites do exist and do make a profit. I think City Paintball charge 10p per ball so its not hard top see how they manage to stay afloat

 

[Bigdog]

City paintball

but they won't let you come anywhere near their site with your own gear, even if you pay full punter prices.

 

[jonhaley]

Wolf's Lair up by Welwyn Garden City has an indoor field. Its only one 7 man sup-air I think But looked good for training and can be hired out;

 

[fuxup]

Yeah must admit it looks the dogs b**ls at LPS cant go wrong either specialy with a paintball shop20ft away