The Oracle - Issue #3

THE ORACLE 

THE OFFICIAL GAMECHANGERS MAGAZINE 

ISSUE #3 

JAN 24 

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THE ORACLE - JAN ISSUE - #03 

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- Graham Cook 

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Unit 8 

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HAPPY NEW 

YEAR! 

Here’s to a successful and prosperous 2024. 

Welcome to the third issue of The 

Oracle – once again it’s packed 

with business building content, 

industry news and valuable 

insights from our partners. 

We start the year by announcing 

an important date for your 

diary! Competitive Socialising 

– The Power of Play returns 

to The Lighthouse in London’s 

Camberwell on on May 9th 2024. 

Home Leisure Direct and Inntegra 

are proud to announce that 

our industry leading event will 

once again provide you and your 

teams with a premium speaker 

programme, an opportunity to 

sample the latest in technology, 

gaming along with food and drink 

supplied by our partners; plus a 

new AV system! 

This year there’s a new element 

with the launch of the first ever 

Competitive Socialising Awards. 

We will be celebrating the best 

in the business, so check out the 

categories and get entering now. 

Like many things in our sector 

it’s not just about the winning but 

getting involved! See pages 8-9 for 

further details. 

For our first issue of the year, The 

Oracle has been out and about 

seeing some of the amazing 

things this always innovative 

sector has to offer. 

We met with Rachel Lamb, the 

Business Development Manager 

at Sixes, to discuss how they go 

‘all out’ to offer all customers - 

from novice to fanatic - the best of 

cricket entertainment. 

We talk licensing with Luke Elford 

our advisory board member to 

discuss some of the challenges 

the sector faces – as well as how 

our benefits including our 24/7 

legal helpline is there to help ALL 

Gamechangers members. 

Plus we’ve also been to London, 

Bath and Iceland to check out 

concepts in our Oracle About 

Town feature. 

We are always on the lookout for 

great places to feature so if you 

want to see your venue highlighted 

in the next issue email us here 

oracle@gamechangers.org.uk. 

We can’t wait to meet you. 

Sharon Dickinson, Commercial 

Director & Content Editor 

3


Editor-in-Chief 

Matt Eley 

matt@gamechangers.org.uk 

Commercial Director & Content Editor 

Sharon Dickinson 

sharon@gamechangers.org.uk 

Graphics & Design 

Cieran de Valmency 

cieran@gamechangers.org.uk 

This Month’s Contributors 

Mark Walsh, CEO & Founder, Kwizzbit 

Tom Brady, CEO, GigRealm 

Katie Jenkins, Marketing & Partnerships Director, KAM 

Peter Innes, Sector Marketing Manager at Brakes 

Luke Elford, Partner, John Gaunt & Partners 

Molly Davis, Head of Communications, BII 

Advertising Opportunities 

oracle@gamechangers.org.uk 

CEO & Founder, Gamechangers 

Jade Craig 

jade@gamechangers.org.uk 

Hospitality Consultant, Gamechangers 

Kelly Mortimer 

kelly@gamechangers.org.uk 

The Oracle 

Gamechangers Organisation Ltd 

Coach House, Ryeford 

Stonehouse, Gloucestershire 

GL10 3HG 

CHAIRMAN’S 

FOREWORD 

How was Christmas for you? Early intel 

into The Oracle suggests that competitive 

socialising venues saw a strong appetite from 

guests to fully maximise on the joy of a festive 

night out. 

At All Star Lanes we are pleased to 

report LFL activity revenue growth 

of 4%. As if we needed more 

proof that competitive socialising 

continues to be the place to be 

with the greatest reach of guest 

engagement. 

Hearing such positive results from 

our sector is hugely encouraging, 

especially as this was, regrettably, 

not the case across the industry, 

with traditional restaurants 

reporting a LFL loss of up to 8% . 

With the cost of living biting this 

Christmas and, of course, train 

strikes continuing to hamper key 

dates, it is especially encouraging 

to see that guests continue to 

favour spending hard earned 

money on experiences that they 

cannot replicate at home. 

In this issue we look at changes to 

laws around tipping that include 

preventing any deductions from the 

amount of Tronc (monies charged 

as service charge) paid out to staff. 

We, at All Star Lanes, support the 

ruling and have never included 

a split of the tronc collection as 

part of a salaried team members 

compensation and benefits 

package. 

Notwithstanding this, I do join 

industry peers in disappointment 

that businesses will no longer be 

able to make deductions to recoup 

for legitimate administrative 

expenses from running a tronc 

scheme. These, in my business, 

would include the engagement 

of an external tronc master, 

facilitation of a tronc committee 

and, of course, payroll and credit 

card commissions associated 

with receiving and then paying out 

monies from such a scheme. 

Running a legitimate tronc scheme 

will, therefore, cost businesses 

money moving forward, and it 

may be time for some companies 

to revisit the benefits of a scheme 

altogether. 

In this cost conscious market, the 

addition of a service charge does 

impact perceived value for money 

when it comes to guests ‘popping 

in their pin.’ Would a removal of the 

12.5% standard charge allow for a 

modest increase in prices which 

could, in turn, be passed onto the 

workforce? The obvious stumbling 

block here is that we are not, 

culturally, a nation of great tippers 

and removal of a scheme could 

cost us all dearly in our ongoing 

recruitment and retention efforts, 

if team members back pockets are 

impacted as a result. 

The Oracle will keep a close eye on 

this issue and be sure to keep you 

in the loop. 

THE ORACLE 

Graham Cook, 

Chairman of Gamechangers 

4 

5


08 

ANNOUNCEMENT 

Competitive 

Socialising Awards 

Be in it to win it and 

enter our inaugural 

awards 

21 

ORACLE ABOUT TOWN 

Postcards from a 

Competitive Crawl 

We enjoy all the fun of the Fairgame and 

bend it like Beckham at Toca Social 

28 

F&B ADVICE 

Thought for Food 

Brakes offers advice and insight on 

planning those spring menus 

CONTENTS 

10 

18 

OPERATOR INSIGHT 

Hit for Sixes 

We catch up with an operator 

that is truly smashing it out of 

the park 

LATEST RESEARCH 

Amplify Your 

Offerings 

GigRealm reveals how 

live events can bring a 

new dimension to your 

venue. 

24 

MEET THE BOARD 

Luke Elford 

Licensing expert Luke Elford helps 

members navigate potentially choppy 

waters 

29 

LICENSING ADVICE 

Tips on Tips 

We examine how new tipping laws could 

impact on your business 

Editor’s pick! 

14 

26 

36 

16 

MEET THE SUPPLIER 

Meet KwizzBit! 

Fastest fingers first! We see 

how the traditional pub quiz is 

evolving 

ANNOUNCEMENT 

Competitive 

Socialising The 

POWER OF PLAY 

Make a date in the 

diary for our big 

industry day 


How Gen Z Are Shaking 

Things Up 

KAM shines 

a light on the 

next generation 

of competitive 

socialisers 

THE PUBS’ PERSPECTIVE 

Competitive Socialising: Road Trip 

How to beat the January blues 

38 40 

LIVE SPORT 

Game On! 

TNT Sports shows how live action 

could increase dwell time in your 

venue 

WHAT’S NEW 

Changing the Game 

The latest opening and goings on 

from across the sector 

6 

7


DEADLINE 

31ST MARCH 

INNTEGRA 

AWARDS 

9TH MAY 

CLICK HERE TO 

SUBMIT 

YOUR 

ENTRY 

ENTRIES NOW OPEN 

The Competitive Socialising Awards aim to recognise the excellence of established and up-and-coming operators within the 

competitive socialising, immersive gaming & interactive leisure spaces. 

8 

9


SIXES: IT’S NOT JUST CRICKET 

Rachel Lamb, Business 

Development Manager at 

Sixes 

While the recent Cricket World Cup did not exactly go to plan 

for England, the team at Sixes Social Cricket have continued to 

smash it out of the park. 

The concept which launched just 

three years ago has gone from 

strength-to-strength. Expansion 

has continued across the UK and 

its first overseas site opened in 

Dallas last year. 

The current dozen venues in the UK 

will be added to. There are plans 

for mobile nets to take Sixes on 

tour, and openings in cricket-crazy 

countries such as India and South 

Africa are expected in the near 

future. 

The pace of growth is akin to 

a Jofra Archer bouncer, which 

makes sense considering that the 

fast bowler, along with England 

skipper Ben Stokes and Ashes 

legend Stuart Broad are part of 

the 4CAST investment group that 

has backed the Andy Waugh and 

Calum Mackinnon led business. 

Like much of the competitive 

socialising sector, a large share 

of Sixes’ business comprises 

pre-bookings and corporate events 

and parties. 

Rachel Lamb, the Business 

Development Manager at Sixes, 

explains: “Competitive socialising is 

massively pre-booked. Our walk-in 

trade is not as big as a normal bar. 

People want to make sure they 

have got a slot for their game. Our 

weekend trade is purely social 

events – birthdays, families – all of 

our venues fill out. 

“We do breakfast events, meetings 

and conference style but corporate 

events are the majority of our 

business.” 

The team will do all they can to 

make any event idea come to life, 

from a birthday party enjoying a net 

for an hour to a group of 300 taking 

over an entire venue. 

Rachel continues: “We have a full 

events team and we look after 

bookings with a full pre-order so 

everything is pre-arranged, such 

as the game they are going to 

play. The guests know what they 

are doing. If it’s a bigger group of 

30-plus they’ll have a dedicated 

person looking after their group. 

They’ll be there to take orders and 

help with the game. 

“When they take over the whole 

venue it’s great because you can 

be more creative. You can have DJs 

and bring in external entertainment. 

“People can really make it their 

own, we can move furniture around, 

they can do awards or speeches. It 

feels so exclusive. We can pretty 

much do anything. In events there 

is no such thing as a ‘no’ and if we 

can make it work for you we will.” 

OPERATOR INSIGHT 

Matt Eley, Editor-in-Chief, 

The Oracle 

10 

11


Make guest experience 

your competitive edge 

Brands with 

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Drive incremental spend by at least 30% and level 

up your guest experience by adding a seamless QR 

code mobile ordering tool into the mix. 

Ready to come 

out on top? 

With me&u, guests can order and pay for food 

and drinks without having to leave the golf course, 

shuffle table or karaoke booth. 

“me&u helps us deliver a seamless guest 

experience in-venue with our food and drink 

whilst capturing really detailed customer data 

that we can use in our marketing campaigns.” 

Ella Parkes 

“We have 350-400% more orders from in-game 

boxes than at tables... having a system that 

picks up those sales opportunities that we may 

not be able to capture makes total sense.” 

Matt Lawrence 

Scan here to see 

more. 

While the cricket game itself 

is naturally at the heart of the 

business so too is hospitality, 

which is a point Rachel is keen to 

emphasise. 

“That service element is so vital to 

what we are trying to achieve here,” 

she adds. 

“We really drill this into the team. 

It’s not just about the concept 

it’s about us and the customer 

service we are giving. From the 

moment we answer the phone we 

are representing Sixes. We are a 

fun young brand and if you are not 

answering the phone excited this 

isn’t the job for you.” 

It’s that kind of passion that 

ensures that even people who 

have never held a bat before will 

almost certainly get into the swing 

of things once they step inside 

a Sixes net. The game itself is 

both simple and hi-tech. From the 

player’s perspective they enter the 

net, bat in hand, and try to hit the 

balls that are fired at them from a 

machine and screen projecting a 

bowler running in. 

There are various levels to suit 

from beginner all the way up to 

world class. The recent World Cup 

saw Sixes introduce a new game 

in which players could face historic 

deliveries bowled by legends such 

as Shane Warne, James Anderson 

and Wasim Akram. 

Rachel continues: “It’s about 

getting involved and the good 

times shared. You can play in 

heels; you can be glammed up. It’s 

a laugh, it’s not serious, and it does 

the scoring for you.” 

The success of events naturally 

leads to further bookings with 

people coming back with friends 

and family and spreading the 

word across social media. It adds 

to Sixes own marketing strategy 

which includes influencers making 

their mark in the nets and then 

online. 

One of the latest developments for 

Sixes is perhaps a little leftfield. 

They have partnered with Lucky 

Voice to launch karaoke booths at 

some of the venues. 

It means guests have even more 

to do, providing Sixes with another 

way to increase dwell time. 

Rachel says: “Lucky Voice is a great 

concept and their tech is amazing 

so we were happy to partner up 

with them. 

“Not everyone is always playing at 

the same time, people have this 

obsession about doing something! 

So we thought we would utilise the 

spaces that we have and add onto 

the Sixes experience.” 

It’s another string to the bow, 

which also includes live sport. 

Sixes shows cricket and other 

major events. The World Cup and 

Ashes series brought guests in and 

helped to keep them entertained 

beyond the batting. 

And you can bet that when people 

leave Sixes after an event, whether 

they’ve visited a karaoke booth 

or not, they’ll be singing 10cc’s 

famous tune because they won’t 

just like cricket, they’ll love it. 

Discover Sixes 

across the UK 

sixescricket.com 

Head of Marketing at Swingers Crazy Golf 

General Manager at TOCA Social, O2 

13


INNTEGRA 

Home Leisure Direct and Inntegra are back with a full speaker programme 

and the latest in competitive socialising games and experiences for 2024! 

Whether you’re looking to optimise your existing competitive socialising space or to expand into the exciting 

world of immersive leisure, this is the place to be. Celebrating its 4th year, growing from 350 guests in 2020 to 

over 950 guests in 2023, this event has become a flagship event for the hospitality industry. 

Join us on Thursday 9th May for a day jam packed with talks, demos, epic products to play on, awards 

announcements, networking opportunities, live bands, DJ’s, drag acts, interactive quizzes and so much more! 

CLICK HERE TO 

GET YOUR 

TICKETS 

TODAY! 

14 

SAME EPIC VENUE + ALL NEW AV SYSTEM 

9TH MAY 2024 LIGHTHOUSE THEATRE, LONDON 15


The pub quiz, with its roots dating back to the 1970s, 

has faced challenges in recent years from smartphones, 

the internet, and changing participant preferences. 

However, KwizzBit saw and took an opportunity to breathe 

new life into one of the Great British pastimes. 

Chief Executive Mark Walsh 

founded KwizzBit in 2017 

MEET 

Established in 2017 by Mark Walsh, 

this innovative company has set a 

new standard in the hospitality 

sector by successfully blending 

classic quizzing with cutting-edge 

technology, utilising a cloud-based 

interactive quiz platform. 

With over 500 venues playing 

nationwide, KwizzBit offers a userfriendly 

and engaging quizzing 

experience. Hosts can log in, 

select a topic, and launch a quiz, 

while players join by scanning a 

QR code on their smartphone, 

before answering questions within 

a 20-second timer - the faster the 

response, the more points you win! 

Mark emphasises the demand 

for fast-paced, gameshow-style 

quizzing. 

He says: “More and more 

customers are seeking new 

experiences from their local pub, 

and we’ve tapped into that desire.” 

According to KwizzBit, venues 

using their platform experience 

a significant revenue boost, with 

an average increase ranging 

from £350 to £600 per quiz night 

compared to traditional pen-andpaper 

formats. 

Notably, Wednesdays, Thursdays, 

and Sundays are the most popular 

days to host a quiz - days that 

generally see lower footfall within 

the industry. 

“Getting people into your venue 

midweek can be hard, but the 

pub quiz is still one of the most 

effective weapons in your toolkit. 

The problem we’ve encountered 

is today’s technologically driven 

consumer isn’t excited by pen-andpaper,” 

adds Mark. 

Driving Innovation 

At the heart of KwizzBit’s ethos lies 

a belief in technological innovation 

to amplify the power of competitive 

socialising. In 2023, they launched 

a trio of core products to support 

this in Live, Leagues and Music. 

KwizzBit Live is a plug-andplay 

solution that empowers 

venues to host national pub quiz 

competitions – with monthly 

jackpots up to £500 – at the push 

of a button. Leveraging their native 

live streaming capabilities, KwizzBit 

orchestrates live quiz events from 

their Leeds-based studio to venues 

across the UK and Ireland. 

In a testament to this development, 

KwizzBit recently hosted a Live quiz 

for 650 Greene King venues which 

raised £33,000 for Macmillan 

Cancer Support. 

‘Leagues’ enables venues to 

accumulate player scores over a 

number of weeks to encourage 

repeat footfall. Whereas ‘Music’ 

saw KwizzBit secure a unique 

licence from MCPS and PPL to 

incorporate audio playback into 

their quizzes. 

Mark continues: “Challenges are 

coming at all angles for operators 

right now. By developing genuinely 

fun and exciting features, our aim 

is to create new opportunities for 

venues that increase customer 

dwell time, without adding more to 

their full plates.” 

In essence, KwizzBit’s latest 

developments are more than 

technological upgrades, they’re a 

strategic push towards shaping 

competitive socialising for the local 

pub. 

Partnering with GigRealm 

In response to a British Beer & Pub 

Association’s report that 61% of 

venues nationwide are affected 

by understaffing, KwizzBit has 

recently unveiled its partnership 

with fellow Gamechangers 

members, GigRealm. 

“Attracting and keeping customers 

becomes increasingly difficult 

without the resources to serve 

them. This partnership aims to 

bridge that gap to ensure no venue 

gets left behind,” says Mark. 

KwizzBit users can access 

GigRealm’s online platform to 

discover, connect and book local 

quiz hosts. The platform allows 

venues to list advertisements, 

receive applications, and review 

them based on talent profiles 

which include images, videos, 

social media links and reviews. 

GigRealm Chief Executive, Tom 

Brady, says: “This is a fantastic 

initiative between two companies 

that have a deep understanding of 

the challenges faced by operators, 

including the growing need to 

provide customers with richer 

experiences. 

“GigRealm’s platform contains a 

huge mix of talent from traditional 

quizmasters to musicians and 

drag artists which gives venues 

opportunities to diversify their 

entertainment offering”. 

Check out Kwizzbit 

today: kwizzbit.com 

MEET THE SUPPLIER 

16 

17


AMPLIFY YOUR OFFERING 

WITH LIVE ENTERTAINMENT 

GigRealm helps you give customers the show stoppers they want 

to keep them in your venue 

Creating the right vibe and 

atmosphere in venues is no longer 

an option – it’s essential to draw 

and retain customers. 

Enter live entertainment, a powerful 

tool in the hospitality arsenal. 

Research by GigRealm reveals 

that 78% of consumers are more 

likely to visit a venue if it offers live 

entertainment such as music and 

artists – with 76% willing to spend 

more on drinks. 

The impact of live entertainment 

on customer attraction and 

spending habits isn’t just a fleeting 

trend. Throughout 2023, operators 

witnessed its substantial benefits 

to their bottom-line. Whether it’s 

the charm of live bands or the 

allure of up-and-coming DJs, live 

entertainment is an integral part of 

a venue’s appeal and a key aspect 

of creating the right environment 

to bring customers through their 

doors. 

This shift in consumer preferences 

is vividly illustrated by GigRealm’s 

recent statistics. Live events 

organised through GigRealm 

spiked by 494% in January 2024 

compared to January 2023. 

Operators are seeing that live 

entertainment can be used as a 

standalone event, and within the 

competitive socialising world it can 

also be a fantastic tool to amplify 

their existing offering. 

In creating the right atmosphere, 

operators are setting the stage 

for an enhanced competitive 

socialising experience. From 

drag queens hosting weekend 

extravaganzas to resident DJs 

injecting high energy vibes, the 

possibilities are endless. 

The question then becomes how 

to easily activate this without 

overburdening your teams. 

494% 

increase in 

GigRealm usage in 

Jan 24 vs Jan 23 

76% 

spend more when 

there is live music 

Technology is the answer and 

platforms like GigRealm, automate 

and enable events to be scheduled 

and booked with ease. 

It takes away the worry about how 

to find and pay acts and alleviates 

the stress of figuring out how to 

integrate this with your existing 

offerings. The tech can take care 

of business for you. 

Is now the right time to blend 

live entertainment with your 

competitive socialising 

offerings, to ensure that 

every event is not just 

an occasion but an 

unforgettable 

experience. 

Want to get started on your 

entertainment journey? 

Gamechangers members have access to 

exclusive offers from GigRealm so you can 

try out the platform with peace of mind. 


Tom Brady, CEO for GigRealm 

18 

19


mPay & Play 

POSTCARDS FROM 

A COMPETITIVE 

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EPOS & payment in one 

device, mPay integrates and 

replicates your ePos making 

it perfect for the competitive 

socialising environment. 

Why is it great for 

your customers? 

Served and orders delivered quickly 

and directly to where they are playing 

 

 

 

Easy to split complex bills 

Can pay and order at the same time 

using just one device 

Peace of mind due to advanced 

security and fraud protection 

Why is it great for 

your teams? 

Optimises staff time – a single 

device for multiple operations 

Less time processing orders 

and payments – more time chatting 

with customers 

Oversight of the availability of menu 

items whilst with the customer 

To find out more contact Polaris Elements: www.polaris-elements.co.uk 

Tel: 0203 198 8000 Email info@polaris-elements.co.uk 

CRAWL 

The Oracle got fully immersed in the festive spirit and took on 

plenty of fun and games at venues both in the UK and overseas. 

December is of course renowned 

for socialising with colleagues, 

friends and family, so The Oracle 

made the most of the opportunity 

to visit competitive socialising 

venues, immersive dining and 

virtual technology. 

Fairgame, London 

The first stop on our international 

adventure: Fairgame in Canary 

Wharf. The Oracle and Editor-in- 

Chief, Matt Eley, arrived at the 

adults-only playground at noon, 

diving into a nostalgic journey 

infused with modern technology. 

Fairgame has ingeniously 

transformed a vast London 

space into an interactive indoor 

fairground. Every inch of the venue 

is adorned with vibrant colors, 

strategically staged to evoke a 

giant nod to yesteryear. Despite the 

nostalgic feel, Fairgame brings the 

fair experience to the 21st century 

with digital scoring, an intuitive app, 

and technical enhancements. 

As just a group of two, Matt and 

The Oracle tried to agree this 

wasn’t a contest – merely two 

colleagues enjoying leisurely time. 

This, of course, didn’t last long. 

The gloves were off as soon as 

the pelting of milk cartons, cereal 

bowls and tins of beans began with 

Pantry Pandemonium. 

The heat was on. By the time the 

pair had tackled Circus Freak, 

Oracle favourite Gopher Broke, and 

Final Furlong they felt like they had 

been through a full body workout. 

While absorbed in their 

non-competitive facade, the duo 

almost missed the other groups of 

10 to 15 players ready to compete 

for teddy bear prizes. Realising it 

was time to retire, they explored 

Fairgame’s street food, perusing 

the digital leaderboards and 

proudly sharing their triumph over 

‘Phoney Island.’ 

Fairgame is truly ‘all the fun of 

the fair’ with a modern party 

atmospheric twist and technology 

fuelled competitiveness. It’s the 

perfect place to have good old 

fashioned fun. 

21


Reykjavik 

Toca Social, London 

Toca Social at the O2, London, 

was the natural choice for football 

enthusiast The Oracle to transition 

from fan to baller. This interactive 

football experience caters to all 

skill levels, with enticing, innovative 

games that keep you kicking all the 

way through. 

Accompanied by a lively entourage 

of would-be Premier League 

players, the group excelled at 

Striker. They clearly channelled 

their inner Beckhams, delivering 

precise shots at targets and 

scoring point after point. 

Meanwhile, The Oracle faced off 

against a zombie horde in the 

fast-paced ‘Zombie Attack’ game, 

frantically kicking as many balls as 

possible to fend off the oncoming 

undead army. The primary goal 

was survival, and by the end, the 

team had worked up quite the 

appetite for American-style food. 

Bath 

Humbug, London 

London 

Amongst the graffiti and grime of 

Waterloo’s Leake Street railway 

arches, The Oracle sought out the 

dingy, festive dive bar known as 

Humbug — website designed by 

Gamechangers. Nothing outside 

the venue indicated what awaited 

within, but from the first step 

inside, the group were instantly 

immersed in the glitz and glamour 

of Christmas. 

The group were welcomed by a 

surly bartender. He whined about 

Father Christmas having been 

drinking the bar dry for months 

in a sort of ‘festive depression’. 

The group pledged to help Santa 

rediscover his holiday spirit before 

being escorted to a cosy ski lodgethemed 

booth with ambient lights 

and ‘mountain’ views. 

Shortly after ordering food 

and drinks, a frantic mailman, 

having lost Santa’s letters during 

a drunken blackout, sought 

their assistance to save his job. 

Meanwhile, Father Christmas 

swaggered around in a leather 

Santa suit, resembling a rockstar 

who just downed a bottle of JD. 

To lift Santa’s mood, the group 

joined a venue-wide pass-theparcel 

game before indulging in a 

mouth-watering Christmas dinner 

wrap and a signature Grinch 

cocktail. Festive spirit soared with 

more party games, leading to an 

audience with Santa in 

his ‘grotto,’ where he 

pondered the meaning of 

his hard work. 

As the live band set the 

party in motion, The Oracle 

wondered: Is Christmas 

really just about the kids? 

Bath On Ice & Glow 

Golf, Bath 

Accompanied by a skilled 

skier and a golfer, The Oracle 

quickly stumbled upon Bath 

on Ice in Somerset. The Mogul 

Bar, resembling a ski lodge in 

the Austrian mountains, offered 

the group a welcome warm-up 

with rum-infused hot chocolate 

before they ventured onto the ice. 

Considering they spent a long time 

clinging to the rails amidst Torvill 

and Deans wannabe, the group 

thoroughly enjoyed the experience. 

Glow Golf next with The Oracle 

a complete novice and the odds 

stacked against winning – but 

never assume that a good golfer 

will excel against an above-average 

mini-golfer. 

Each hole presented tunnels, paths 

of lights, unexpected corners, 

and a brightly lit cup! With 

determination and a surprising 

amount of beginner’s luck, The 

Oracle skillfully manoeuvred 

the neon ball through all 18 

holes, smashing, grabbing, and 

knocking their way to victory. 

The lesson? Anyone can do it! 

Auroroa Reykyjavik, 

Iceland 

In full festive spirit, The Oracle 

jetted off to Iceland in pursuit of 

the Northern Lights and to explore 

Reykjavik’s social scene. While the 

UK leads in competitive socialising, 

it’s interesting to discover how other 

regions embrace these concepts. 

Darts, pool, snooker, and escape 

rooms are a regular fixture in town, 

offering a more traditional approach 

to a gaming night out. With only 

three days in Iceland, The Oracle 

opted for a cutting-edge virtual 

tour to explore the entire country 

and its captivating landscape. 

In a thrilling 10-minute experience, 

The Oracle enjoyed a remarkably 

realistic flight across Iceland’s 

four corners, showcasing its 

natural beauty. The lightweight 

and comfortable tech, paired 

with 360 swivel egg chairs, 

provided a magical, lifelike, and 

breathtaking whirlwind tour of 

places they wouldn’t have time 

to see otherwise, enhancing the 

visit. Or maybe it’s a clever way of 

encouraging further visits! 

Want to be 

showcased next? 

Get in touch today: 

oracle@gamechangers.org.uk 

22 

23


As well as being a partner at law 

firm John Gaunt & Partners, and 

a member of the Gamechangers 

advisory board, Luke is one of 

the team that mans our legal and 

licensing advice helpline. 

The service is available 24-hours a 

day for members – it has already 

helped one company save around 

£150,000 in legal fees. 

Luke explains: “I man the 24-hour 

helpline which is one of our offers 

to members. They come through to 

us and we can signpost them in the 

right direction. 

Luke Elford, Partner at John Gaunt & Partners 

Licensing Solictors 

If you ever find yourself with a 

licensing conundrum there’s a 

good chance you could end up 

getting advice from Luke Elford. 

“If it is a licensing query that 

they want help with they get a 

significant discount on our fees, 

and that covers the entirety of 

England, Wales and Scotland.” 

After starting his career as a 

solicitor for a local authority Luke 

moved to the private sector to 

specialise in licensing and has 

never looked back. 

He began at Jeffrey Green Russell 

before moving onto roles at TLT, 

Woods Whur and since 2022 John 

Gaunt & Partners. 

In the last few years he has been 

heavily involved in the explosion 

of competitive socialising venues 

across the UK – helping brands 

such as Flight Club and Electric 

Shuffle secure licences. 

He explains: “I have watched and 

have been a part of the evolution 

of competitive social venues and 

social entertainment. 

“It’s a really interesting space to be 

in. I love the different things that 

people come up with. Any activity 

there is, people are thinking ‘how 

can I turn this into a competitive 

socialising venue?’” 

With the sector being new and 

innovative it means licensing also 

requires a specialist eye. 

Luke continues: “Everything is 

slightly different and because 

they’re different they require a 

bit of a bespoke approach to the 

licensing of them. 

“That attracts me because you are 

really thinking about what you are 

putting into the license to make 

sure it fits the venue. 

“Some of the larger venues in 

experiential leisure require huge 

amounts of space. We worked on 

a railway arch under London Bridge 

being transformed into an Electric 

Shuffle.” 

There are of course barriers to 

overcome, some of which can 

be challenging especially when 

dealing with new concepts. 

“Invariably competitive socialising 

venues want to be in among the 

cut and thrust of where things are, 

which are typically where councils 

have said we don’t want any more 

venues. You have to find your way 

through the local authority policy. 

“Sometimes if something is brand 

new, you have to explain that it’s 

going to be a fantastic concept but 

we can’t quite tell you what it is yet! 

“You also might get objections 

from people who don’t really 

understand what you are going to 

do.” 

And he is very happy to provide 

that expert help to Gamechangers 

members. 

“I was really pleased to see 

Gamechangers develop. 

“ I am involved 

with various trade 

organisations 

but competitive 

socialising is 

so niche that it 

needs someone 

representing its very 

specific interests.“ 

“In terms of Gamechangers 

members I can help with legal 

advice around what’s required to 

set up a competitive socialising 

venue especially around the 

licensing side of things and advise 

on the whole piece. I love seeing 

these new concepts or takes on 

existing concepts come to fruition.” 

Luke jokes that competitive 

socialising is a good fit for him 

personally and professionally. 

“As a lawyer being competitive is 

in my nature! It’s just nice to get 

together and see the various things 

that are on offer. It’s a great sector 

to be involved in. 

“I want to see new venues 

succeed and people achieve the 

best licences possible,” he adds. 

“Licensing as a sector is becoming 

increasingly difficult with more and 

more hurdles being put in the way 

of the applicants. 

“What I would say, is if you are 

looking to start something new 

or move into a new town make 

sure you take advice at an early 

stage. It can save you running into 

problems further down the line 

and can ultimately save you good 

amounts of money in terms of fees 

and failed applications.” 

Need help understanding how 

the latest legislation affects 

your business? 

Gamechangers members receive access to 

a free 24 hour legal & licensing helpline. Join 

today to save time, money and headaches! 

MEET THE BOARD MEMBER 

24 

25


VIDEO PROVIDED BY KAM 

HOW GEN Z ARE 

SHAKING THINGS UP 

Just who is this ‘Generation Z’ (aka Gen Z) that we see referred 

to across all multitudes of press, social media and more these 

days? 

And what the heck have 

those pesky kids been up to 

now, I hear you ask? 

Gen Z includes those born in 

1997 to 2011 – or close to – and 

represents the latest defined 

generation to be independently 

spending in the hospitality sector, 

following on from Millennials, 

Gen X and Boomers. The oldest 

are now in their late twenties 

so fully working, socialising 

and experiencing life and all its 

challenges and excitements. 

KAM have been researching Gen 

Z (aged 18+) over the last four 

years to understand their drinking 

and socialising habits. Every year, 

the number of Gen Z spending in 

hospitality is growing – and many 

are not even 18 yet, therefore, 

familiarising yourself with how Gen 

Z think and act will give you a head 

start to winning their spend. 

They’re seeking activities 

and experiences 

A typical Gen Z will visit a 

hospitality venue five times a 

month, with this visit frequency 

having risen 5% since 2021. 

Their preferred venue ‘type’ is 

casual dining, with quick services 

restaurants and pubs following 

closely behind – but the real draw 

for this generation is Competitive 

Socialising venues – playing 

‘games’ whilst drinking (or not…. 

more on that later…) and eating 

with friends and family. The main 

drive to going out is not as ‘alcoholcentred’ 

as previous generations, 

it really is more about the activity 

and experience. 

In fact, 82% of Gen Z over the age 

of 18 have visited a competitive 

socialising venue in the last 12 

months — with 53% visiting this 

type of venue more than they did 

12 months ago (vs only 9% across 

all other age groups). 

Drinking habits are changing 

They’re also a discerning bunch, 

with 57% rating ‘range of drinks’ 

important to them – this was the 

second highest importance after 

quality of food, which perhaps 

also shows that the quality as well 

as the range generally is of high 

importance. 

In terms of the range of drinks, 

this is where we need to be 

Katie Jenkins, Marketing & 

Partnerships Director of KAM 

mindful of what they want to drink. 

Over 60% (50% in all other ages 

groups) said they were looking to 

moderate their alcohol intake vs 

the previous year, and 30% (25% in 

other age groups) said they were 

drinking more ‘low and no’ drinks 

vs the previous year. 

This is perhaps why the ‘range 

of drinks’ highlighted above is so 

important. We hear regularly in 

our research that choosing ‘not to 

drink’ doesn’t mean just wanting a 

Diet Coke – but wanting access to 

a range of low and no beers, spirits 

and mocktails. 

Alongside the low and no range 

requirements of this generation, 

we also found 

that Gen Z value 

the quality of the 

drinks serve, 

with 21% more 

saying this is 

important to 

them than 

all other age 

groups. 

Social media has significant 

influence on their choices 

Other important considerations 

when looking to attract 

this generation are how 

they are influenced to try 

drinks, and how you may 

want to consider talking to 

them. 

They listen to ...... 

recommendations from 

friends and family first and 

foremost. This is ahead of 

looking at online reviews, 

including viewing social 

media profiles and looking 

at / listening to what social 

media influencers have to 

say online. 

Social media does still play 

a big part – with Instagram 

the top platform of choice 

(50% of Gen Z will use Insta first 

and foremost), ahead of TikTok and 

emails both at 22%. Interesting that 

email is certainly not dead... 

Loyalty 

I think this will be the big buzz word 

of 2024 as venues (and brands) 

look to encourage customers to 

visit. 

Whether this loyalty is driven and 

measured through frequency 

of visit, spend per head, clicks 

and engagements, or driven by 

loyalty card and apps, it all adds 

up to a happy, frequently spending 

customer who will hopefully then 

recommend your brand to others. 

In summary, whilst some of Gen 

Z are still to come of age, they are 

not an age group to be ignored. 

The best news activity-led, 

Competitive Socialising venues are 

an increasingly important part of 

their Hospitality spend. 

In need of sector reporting 

that fits your business needs? 

Gamechangers members benefit from a ‘free 

competitive socialising customer deep dive’ session 

with KAM Insights. 

Join Today 


26 

27


THOUGHT FOR FOOD 

F&B ADVICE 

CREATING A MENU THAT STANDS OUT IS A TERRIFIC WAY TO ATTRACT CUSTOMERS AND KEEP THEM COMING BACK 

Now is the perfect time to be thinking about refreshing your menu for the spring/summer season. Here are tips to help you create an amazing menu that fits in with your business. 

KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE 

Understand the preferences of your target audience and design your menu accordingly. 

ADJUST YOUR PERCEPTION 

As customers become more informed and interested in food, it becomes more integral to their 

social occasions. Expectations on variety, quality and sustainability are increasing, while their meal 

occasions are becoming more informal. 

ANALYSE CUSTOMER DATA 

Have a look at the trends in customer behaviours – beyond just flavour trends, which are affecting 

the way they make decisions about what to choose when eating out of home. 

KEEP IT SIMPLE 

Avoid overwhelming your customers with too many options. Instead, focus on a few signature dishes 

that you can be renowned for. 

REFINE YOUR RANGE 

The trend in street food plays into this in a great way as the simple menu, easy preparation and 

authentic dishes excite customers. 

BECOME MORE ADAPTABLE 

Simplicity also makes it easier to cross train your team. 

EMBRACE EFFICIENCY 

Easy to assemble component-based dishes, using part prepared items mean that with little 

preparation you can get great dishes to your customers in a few simple steps. 

Peter Innes, Sector Marketing 

Manager at Brakes 

QUALITY COUNTS 

Buying high quality, fresh, and seasonal means 

you can use more of the ingredient when it is at 

its best. This will help to create dishes that are 

both delicious and more sustainable. 

REVIEW YOUR INGREDIENT WASTAGE 

With high quality fresh ingredients and a little 

knowledge, you can ensure that you use up 

different parts of your ingredient for different 

dishes on the menu. 

GET CREATIVE 

What about “ribs” made from cauliflower stalks 

or frying the leaves for a great crispy garnish? 

REAP THE BENEFITS 

Less waste is better for the environment and for 

your profit margins. 

DESIGN AN ATTRACTIVE MENU 

Use clear typography with crisp legible lettering, laid 

out clearly so it is easy to read and understand. 

DON’T OVER-COMPLICATE 

In the fast-paced, active world of competitive 

socialising, having simple easy to read menus is 

more important than ever. 

NO HIDDEN SURPRISES 

When naming dishes ensure that the name or the 

description let the customers know exactly what 

they will be ordering so that there on no surprises 

other than the delicious flavours! 

GET CREATIVE 

Experiment with new flavours and combinations 

to create your signature dishes that your team 

are proud to serve and allow you to stand out 

from the competition. 

EXPAND YOUR HORIZONS 

Looking at some of the latest flavour and cuisine 

trends, it is clear that consumers are open to 

experimenting with flavours and cuisines in a 

less defined way. 

COOK IT WELL 

What is important is a level of credibility and 

authenticity in whatever you choose to put on 

your menu. So do a little research and find the 

flavour and dish combinations that work for 

you, and that your team are excited and proud 

to serve. 

FOLLOW THESE LINKS 

TO LEARN MORE 

CUSTOMER BEHAVIOURAL TRENDS 

COMFORT FOR ALL 

SUSTAINABLE FLAVOUR: ZERO WASTE 

CUSTOMER FOOD TRENDS 

We hope these tips help you create a menu that is focused on wowing your customers and bringing them back for more. If you need further assistance visit brake.co.uk. 

28 

29


TIPS FOR 2024? 

HERE’S ONE: 

PREPARE FOR THE 

NEW TIPPING 

LEGISLATION 


May probably seems quite a long 

while away, yeah? It’s going to roll 

around quicker than you think and 

with it comes a new law that will 

make it illegal for venues to withhold 

tips or gratuities from staff 

The Employment (Allocation of 

Tips) Act 2023 (“the Tipping Act”) 

was signed into the statute books 

in May 2023 and one whole year 

later, it comes into force. 

What the Tipping Act actually does 

is amend the Employment Rights 

Act 1996 so that employers are 

now required to: 

Pass on all tips and 

service charges to workers 

without deductions, 

except in very limited 

circumstances, such as the 

deduction of income tax. 

Ensure that all tips 

are distributed in a fair 

and transparent manner 

when the employer takes 

control, or exerts significant 

influence, over their 

distribution. 

Have regard to the 

Government’s code of 

practice on tipping. 

Maintain a written policy 

on how tips are dealt with 

at their place of business, 

and ensure the policy is 

made available to all their 

workers. 

Maintain a record of all 

tips paid at their place of 

business and their allocation 

and distribution between 

each worker, to which 

workers have the right to 

request access. 

The Government estimates that 

more than £200 million a year will 

be returned to workers by virtue 

of their retaining tips that would 

otherwise be withheld from them. 

They are describing it as the 

biggest shake up to the industry for 

some time. 

Luke Elford, Partner at John 

Gaunt & Partners Licensing 

Solictors 

31


Need help understanding how the latest legislation affects your business? 

Gamechangers members receive access to a free 24 hour legal & licensing helpline. Join today to save time, money and headaches! 

Join Today 

So what does this all 

mean? 

First, venues will be required 

to share all tips, gratuities, and 

service charges with staff without 

deductions being made. This 

applies to “qualifying tips.” 

The key factor in determining 

whether a tip is a qualifying tip is 

whether the employer received 

the tip (in the case of employerreceived 

tips) or exercises 

significant influence over (in the 

case of worker-received tips) the 

distribution of tips. 

Not all tips fall under the scope of 

the Tipping Act. If, for example, a 

worker receives a cash tip, with no 

employer control or involvement, 

then that tip is not a qualifying tip 

and is outside of the scope of the 

legislation. 

The Government recently 

published (15 December 2023) a 

draft code of practice on fair and 

transparent distribution of tips 

(“the Draft Code”). 

Another issue that 

venues will need 

to watch out for is 

“fairness.” 

The Draft Code makes it clear that 

“fairness” does not necessarily 

require employers to allocate tips 

equally in the same proportion to 

all workers and acknowledges that 

there may be legitimate reasons 

why employers might choose to 

allocate different workers different 

proportions of tips. The Draft Code 

gives an example of some of the 

factors that might come into play 

when making such a decision: 

Type of role or work, 

for example distribution 

between front of house and 

back of house workers 

Basic pay (and how 

workers are engaged) 

Individual and/or team 

performance 

Seniority or level of 

responsibility 

Length of service 

Customer intent 

The Draft Code suggests 

employers should consult with 

workers to seek “broad agreement” 

that the system of allocation of tips 

is fair, reasonable, and clear. The 

Draft Code (unfortunately) doesn’t 

give any guidance as to how that 

consultation should take place, 

save that larger organisations may 

need to consider whether there is 

a legal or contractual requirement 

to engage in formal collective 

consultation e.g. with a trade union. 

Second, venues will need to keep 

records of how tips are allocated. 

These records will need to be kept 

for at least three years and staff will 

be able to request copies. Copies 

of allocation records will need to 

be provided within four weeks of a 

request being received. 

Third, venues will need to put in 

writing their policy for allocating 

tips. That policy will need to set 

out how tips are managed and 

allocated. The purpose of the 

policies will be to ensure that staff 

know how tips are managed, up 

front, and in a transparent way. 

There are a couple 

of other key aspects 

of the legislation: 

Venues will no longer 

be able to deduct the cost 

of processing tips from the 

monies provided to staff. This 

means that if you use a thirdparty 

to process tips, the 

third parties’ costs will need 

to be borne by the business, 

not staff. 

Businesses will no longer 

be permitted to pool tips 

across venues. If this is 

something you do currently, 

arrangements will need to 

be made to change this. 

And what happens 

if we get it wrong, I 

hear you ask? 

Staff members will be able to 

make claims to the Employment 

Tribunal. A claim can be made 

at any point up to 12 months 

after a failure to comply with the 

legislation. Failures to comply 

with the legislation could have 

both financial and reputational 

consequences for venues. 

Perhaps as important as the 

financial consequences, are the 

reputational ones. Customers 

may well be dissuaded from 

using a business that has been 

found not to be acting in a fair 

and transparent manner with its 

staff when it comes to tips. A 

social media pile on over a tipping 

scandal isn’t going to be high on 

anyone’s list of wants for 2024. 

The good news is, there is still time 

for businesses to get their houses 

in order. The first step is to look at 

your current practices and consider 

whether they will fall foul of the 

new legislation come May 2024. 

When making this assessment, 

make sure you consider the Draft 

Code. Whilst there may be changes 

to the Draft Code, these are unlikely 

to affect the overall tenor of the 

document. 

Venues making changes to 

existing arrangements would be 

well-served speaking to staff as 

soon as possible and explaining 

what changes are being made 

and why. The policy mentioned 

above will also need to be drafted, 

signed-off, and communicated to 

management staff. 

The key message is 

that you need to be 

preparing now. 

The last thing we want is for any 

Gamechangers member to get 

caught out come May. 

Luke Elford is a Partner at John Gaunt & Partners 

specialising in licensing, and provides updates on legal & 

licensing information by writing regularly for The Oracle 

Luke can be contacted at lelford@john-gaunt.co.uk 

32 

33


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GAMECHANGER 

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Operator members have saved 50% off developing websites for their venues 

using Gamechangers supplier rates with Nat20 Design. 

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One operator saved circa £20,000 in contracting services for branding, 

dancers, entertainment and FREE drinks all night at a recent venue relaunch. 

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Join Gamechangers & start saving TODAY! 

34 

35


COMPETITIVE 

SOCIALISING – 

ROAD TRIP EDITION 

“ You could be 

reaching a whole 

new audience 

by collaborating 

with other local 

businesses and 

tempting them 

into your sites “ 

From quirky Brooklyn bars to 

undiscovered B&Bs, the power 

of social media and particularly 

recommendations from others 

on various platforms, meant that I 

stumbled on a place with its own 

private pool and hot tub, sleeping 

12, ALL en-suite, with more 

amenities than you could shake a 

stick at. And guess what? It had 16 

Xbox controllers, multiple screens 

for game play, a Pac-Man arcade 

machine, as well as pool, foosball 

and air hockey tables. Three nights 

away, and all this, just for a few 

quid more than a spa day! Girls just 

wanna have fun it would seem… 

Clever accommodation providers 

are cashing in on the competitive 

socialising boom, meaning you can 

spend a whole weekend tucked 

away, playing games with friends 

and families. 

Did we just stay in though? No – we 

visited two local towns, because 

we had budget to spend on DOING 

things. If there had been a cvenue 

nearby, we would 100% have gone. 

As it was, we supported the local 

pubs and restaurants, knowing 

that we could afford to splurge a 

little and cook for ourselves that 

evening. 

Whenever I go away with my 

husband, we actively look for areas 

with things to entertain us – you 

can find food and drink venues in 

most places, but not necessarily 

places to play, and that is exactly 

what we wanted. 

When you have been married for 

20 years (good grief we are getting 

on a bit!) you need to DO things 

together that don’t involve talking 

about the kids, deciding which 

colour to paint the bathroom or 

whose turn it is to take the cat 

for his jabs. For us, games cafes, 

escape rooms, pubs and bars 

with games, quizzes and more are 

exactly what we look for. 

But larger groups are looking for 

the same thing. Karaoke rooms, 

mini golf with cocktails, go karts 

– you name it, they want it. Hen 

and stag dos, sure, but a group of 

middle-aged mums with money 

to spend should also definitely be 

your target market. 

No matter where you are, find out 

about the Airbnbs or group houses 

for rent in your local area – do a 

deal with them! Offer discount 

codes on leaflets left in the kitchen, 

or better yet, get them to plug your 

venue in the booking confirmation 

email. Follow them on social media 

and comment when people say 

they are staying with them. 

The house we stayed in offered 

us a private chef, cocktail making 

experience, pottery making 

classes and more. You could be 

reaching a whole new audience 

by collaborating with other local 

businesses and tempting them into 

your sites. 

THE PUB PERSPECTIVE 

January – cold, dark, dank and depressing… in the UK at least! It 

is my least favourite time of year, and I am not alone there. 

For years now, I have been trying 

to keep the January blues at bay – 

for a start, I DON’T do Dry January. 

In fact, I try to do as much as I can 

to make it a month to look forward 

to. In recent years that has meant 

a spa day with girlfriends, but this 

year we went all out and booked 

a whole weekend away. January 

pay day is always 1,000 days away 

when you get back to your desk 

after Christmas, but when you plan 

ahead, you can pay for January fun 

well in advance! 

TikTok has gifted me many things 

in the last year. Besides the usual 

poor mental health from endless 

scrolling through utter nonsense, it 

has also provided some incredible 

tips and hidden gems that have 

made my recent hospitality 

experiences brilliant. 

Molly Davis, Head of 

Communications for BII 

36 

37


Advertorial 

GET EXTRA 

GAME TIME 

WITH TNT 

SPORTS 

We catch-up with 

Gamechangers supplier 

member TNT Sports to find 

out what’s on the sporting 

calendar for 2024. 

What is TNT Sports? 

“TNT Sports is a premium live 

sports broadcaster. It went live 

last summer throughout the UK, 

replacing BT Sport in a move that 

heralded the most significant 

change in the sports broadcast 

landscape in a decade. It features 

some of the biggest and best live 

sport there is to show.” 

What does it offer 

hospitality? 

“TNT Sports brings all of the action 

and drama of top quality live sport 

to your venue throughout the week. 

Whether it’s Premier League or 

UEFA Champions League football, 

the best domestic and European 

rugby or even fights nights and 

WWE – there is something for all 

sports fans to enjoy on TNT Sports. 

“And it’s not just the sport 

itself, TNT offers customers a 

comprehensive support package 

including in-house visits from our 

nationwide Support Squad plus 

even more marketing support with 

our regular poster packs, digital 

assets, Pub Finder tool and much 

more. Just take a look at www. 

tntsportsbusiness.co.uk for further 

details.” 

What great sport is coming 

up this year? 

“The Premier League title race 

could go to the wire this season, 

with the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal 

and Aston Villa all looking to 

wrestle the trophy from English, 

European and World Champions 

Man City. With 52 games live, many 

in our regular Saturday lunchtime 

slot, customers can watch the 

action unfold on TNT Sports. 

“Man City and Arsenal are also 

going for glory in the UEFA 

Champions League, which is 

exclusively live on TNT Sports 

this season, along with the Europa 

League and Europa Conference 

League. We’ll bring you every 

memorable moment on those 

crowd-pulling midweek nights. 

On top of that there’s even more 

great sport to enjoy this year 

with the Olympics and the Euros 

guaranteed to pull in the crowds for 

the licensed trade.” 

Why should comp soc venues 

show sport? 

“Nothing beats live sport to 

increase dwell time. According to 

CGA research for TNT Sports, 45% 

of sports fans spend more in the 

on trade when heading there to 

watch fixtures compared to other 

occasions*. It’s the perfect way to 

keep guests happy before, after and 

in-between activities. Especially 

midweek, where we’ve got Tuesday, 

Wednesday and Thursday covered 

with European Football, so even 

during quieter times, it’s a great 

way to drive footfall.” 

LIVE SPORT 

“We’ll also bring venues exclusive 

combat sport content – including 

championship boxing and UFC – 

on TNT Sports and TNT Sports 

Box Office. 

For more 

information visit 

www.tntsportsbusiness.co.uk 

Add in Gallagher Premiership 

and Champions Cup rugby plus 

MotoGP, NBA and cricket and TNT 

Sports truly has all bases covered 

(did we mention we have MLB 

rights too!) 

Contact Dan Willsher 

07977040666 

dan.willsher@bt.com 

*CGA Brand Track, February 2022 

38 

39


BUNKERS VIDEO 

CHANGING THE 

GAME 

Want The Oracle to showcase or attend an opening? Get 

in touch today to appear in The Oracle 

NEW 

WHAT’S NEW 

Bunkers welcomed The Oracle to its Romford opening night towards the end of 2023. The new venue, owned 

by Adventure Leisure Ltd (who also run the Mr Mulligans brand), showcased an incredible array of competitive 

socialising experiences that boasted something for everyone: a 12-hole adventure golf course, shuffleboard, 

deck shuffleboard, interactive darts, VR gaming and beer pong. 

With a sprawling two floor footprint in Romford’s Brewery Shopping Centre, customers for this site includes 

shoppers looking for a respite as well as experience hunters. The Oracle even caught a glimpse of the Mayor 

getting into the swing of things on the opening night! 

Romford is the second Bunkers location, following the roaring success of its sister site in Swansea. 

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has officially opened the £1.7m Panenka 

Bar & Grill. Located near to Bramall Lane Stadium, the venue is the brainchild of 

entrepreneur and IPM Group boss, Rick Bailey. 

Sports fans can hire luxury private rooms where they’re able to immerse themselves 

and play in virtual reality ‘pods’. The venue’s Asian fusion food offerings complement 

the competitive socialising experience, with VIP karaoke rooms, 35 screens showing 

live sport and retro arcade machines. 

Laser Quest GB is on an expansion mission. Since opening the doors to its Canary 

Wharf and Ashford locations in December, the brand has announced new locations 

for their 2024 plans - including: Liverpool, Hemel Hempstead and Gloucester. 

The Laser Quest brand Laser Tag has been a firm favourite in the UK for more than 

30 years, franchising 40 sites in the UK and 100 sites globally. As it continues its 

impressive grounding in the competitive socialising sector, Laser Quest is looking to 

partner with operators who have ‘extra’ space within their venue. 

Elvis will soon be back in the building - sort of. Immersive events company Layered 

Reality will be bringing the King to London in November this year. 

The experience will use holographic projection, augmented reality, live theatre and 

multi-sensory effects to recreate a fully immersive Elvis concert experience. The 

venue location for the November show has yet to be announced. 

One Under offers an incredibly immersive and quirky mini golf and car racing drinks 

experience in Glasgow. Following a fantastic first year, the company has announced 

two new sites: Brighton due to open soon, followed closely by a Liverpool site. 

Golf club concept Pitch has revealed plans to open at least five new sites in the next 

three years - including Dublin as its first international site. 

Pitch was launched in London’s Bishopsgate more than four years ago, complete 

with state-of-the-art golf technology. Guests can virtually play more than 60 of the 

world’s most popular golf courses, including classic venues such as Wentworth and 

Royal Troon. It has a second site in Soho with another on the way in Canary Wharf. 

Arcade Media will be consulting for F1 Arcade in 2024, with future F1 Arcade 

locations to be confirmed soon. 

Get in touch today oracle@gamechangers.org.uk 

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The Oracle - Issue #3

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