Owners of £700,000 indoor inflatable park turn to crowdfunding to survive lockdown

A NEW Peterborough leisure business has launched a crowdfunding scheme in an attempt to survive the coronavirus crisis and safeguard 36 jobs.
Bikram and Preeti Sohal with Matthew Wolfenden and Charley Webb at the VIP opening of Inflata Nation at the PE1 Retail ParkBikram and Preeti Sohal with Matthew Wolfenden and Charley Webb at the VIP opening of Inflata Nation at the PE1 Retail Park
Bikram and Preeti Sohal with Matthew Wolfenden and Charley Webb at the VIP opening of Inflata Nation at the PE1 Retail Park

Inflata Nation opened its doors at the PE1 Retail Park in January to great acclaim, with Emmerdale stars Charley Webb and Matthew Wolfenden attending the glittering VIP opening.

But after a hugely successful first few months of trading – when it welcomed 30,000 customers to bounce, slide and climb – the business was forced to close by the government’s emergency coronavirus measures.

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Since then owners Preeti and Bikram Sohal have furloughed the entire staff and sought financial assistance to ensure they are able to reopen when the lockdown lifts.

Inflata Nation at the PE1 Retail ParkInflata Nation at the PE1 Retail Park
Inflata Nation at the PE1 Retail Park

But they have met a frustrating brick wall and have now set up a reward-based crowdfunding scheme in a bid to keep them going for the next few months.

Preeti said: “We are devastated by this and feel almost helpless in trying to keep our new business alive.

“The dream of an inflatable theme park has taken us two years to get from conception to reality. We finally opened our doors on January 18, only to close a couple of months later.

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“We have invested £700,000 in getting Inflata Nation Peterborough off the ground, but with no income or funding available to us we are in danger of losing our business, our life savings and our home.”

The 14,500 sq ft site replaced the former Cotswold and Kiddicare units at PE1 and attracted some much-needed footfall to the site.

It’s first eight weeks of business were a huge success, with the Peterborough centre – one of eight Inflata Nation ventures across the UK – rivaling the flagship Manchester park for customer numbers.

But since lockdown was announced, the husband and wife team have been told they do not qualify for a government Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan (CBIL) because they are a new business.

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Meanwhile a Business Rate Grant – designed specifically for the retail, hospitality and leisure sector – and assistance from the government’s Future Fund are also untenable due to the nature of the company and the level of start-up investment.

Paul Dunn, asset manager from PE1 Retail Park, said: “Since opening, Inflata Nation have gone beyond all expectations in terms of attracting people into their facility, uplifting footfall and increasing trade for all other existing tenants.

“They occupy 14,500 sq ft which is a significant percentage of our occupancy. It is absolutely crucial that their business is protected by the government initiative set up to do exactly this.”

With their options limited, Preeti and Bikram have launched a rewards-based crowdfunding page with a target of £30,000 to “help ensure essential bills are paid whilst being closed”.

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These range from £10 for a two-hour bounce session when the centre reopens, to £50 or more for a one-month unlimited pass and £1,000-plus to use the entire arena for three hours.

Preeti added: “Your support now will ensure that the community still benefits from family fun, fitness sessions, tots sessions and disability sessions.”

For more information and to make a donation, visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/support-inflata-nation-peterborough.

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