DIVERSIFICATION? ITS ALL DOWNHILL FROM HERE
DIVERSIFICATION? ITS ALL DOWNHILL FROM HERE
Steeply sloping fields? Close to a centre of population?
Then you could provide a venue for an extreme sport.
Liz Boynton reports on mountain-boarding in Hereford and
David Cousins looks at a new spherical sport
ROY Powell, of Court Farm, Tillington, Hereford, has already adjusted to the idea of moving away from the role of food production.
For over 60 years his family has owned a 133ha (330 acre) mixed farm in the county, and for the past 25 years they have grown 16ha (40 acres) of PYO. He has gradually introduced a farm trail, two carp fishing lakes, a tea-room and a farm shop and his new venture seems to be a logical progression for the business. "Nowadays you have to aim more for tourism than farming," says Roy.
Although the farm is close to the market town, they are not on the main road and therefore are only open from May to October. The mountain board centre will follow the same target months except for private bookings.
"I originally looked at setting up a dry ski slope, but the high costs put me off and I thought it was too big a risk to take," Roy explains. "But always in the back of my mind was what to do with this hill, which I thought we should make use of rather than just grazing.
"I knew nothing about mountain boarding until I discovered Maxtrack, the company that runs the sport in this country, when I was using our new computer. Its not such an expensive outlay and I felt it was a sustainable loss if things didnt work out."
The sport was developed in Colorado by a group of snow boarders who were frustrated that they couldnt ride when the snow had melted and the first board was created by adding four pneumatic tyres and suspension to a conventional snow board.
Although Maxtrack has set up centres across the country, they are a Herefordshire-based business and are particularly aware of the opportunities that mountain board centres can offer farmers.
Maxtrack owner Ian Mitchell-Innes, introduced mountain boarding to the UK and organised the first British National Championships in 1997. He has seen the popularity of the sport gradually spread.
"I realised we needed to set up centres where you could go along, hire a board and try it out with all the safety equipment — helmet, pads and leashes (to stop the board disappearing down the hillside) with someone there who could give some basic instruction," explains Ian.
"This year we are offering farmers a complete franchise package. We provide everything from boards and equipment to site development advice and marketing support. We supply a guide on insurance and planning permission and as in the case of Court Farm we have helped recruit someone to run the centre for them."
Setting up a mountain board centre is not as simple as buying some boards, opening the gates and waiting for the crowds to flood in. There are a number of areas that must be considered and this is where the expertise of Maxtrack comes to the fore.
There are four franchise packages that suit a variety of budgets. They range from a capital expenditure of £2650 to £5750.
Ian explains: "Financial projections indicate for an average farm with an outlay of 10 boards hired out at £5/hour for 30 hours/week, income would be £1500/week. With weekly running costs about £390, £1110/week is profit. A season of 13 weeks should therefore produce about £14,430 from a total investment of £3750. Additional income could include sales of boards and refreshments."
So far planning has not been a problem. Planning permission is needed for an enterprise that operates for more than 28 days in any one year.
"Once it is proved that the centre is not noisy and no damage is done to the environment then a planning application would be well received. Safety, parking and location are paramount but increasingly change of use from agriculture to leisure, in the current climate, is probably looked on quite favourably."
With 20 sites around the country, Maxtrack is looking to open another 200 sites within the next 12 months and this fast-growing sport is an opportunity for UK farmers to participate in a venture that relies heavily on enthusiasm and flair.
Ian continues: "For the past two years the British National Championships have been held at Eastnor Castle but because of problems with foot-and-mouth the event will now be held at the newly opened Court Farm Centre on Aug 11/12."
Roy adds: "We wont spend any more money this year -but if it looks good, next year well put a ski tow in. Its not very expensive, its only a little engine with a continuous rope, probably say £1000 – it might be worth doing.
"These fads change. It may go for five years or it may go longer. But youve got to get in early to see. Cost-wise, you can look at it as getting a new implement on the farm – you dont think twice about needing a new silage trailer. Its just the same."
For further information contact Maxtrack (01531-890955 or visit www.maxtrack.com).