As a nation, we Brits are well known for our love of sports. From football to cricket, rugby to golf and everything in between, we enjoy an extensive and varied sporting calendar throughout the whole year. Sport has a unique way of making a positive social and cultural impact in communities across the country. And it’s not just at the big clubs where we like to celebrate our teams and spend our hard-earned cash.
The latest market research figures on Sports Clubs in the UK show that in semi-professional and amateur clubs there has been a steady growth over the last five years and the industry is expected to carry on this upward trend, despite the effects of the pandemic, subdued economic growth and rising inflation costs. Growing health consciousness and rising sports participation means our local clubs and their sports facilities are here to stay.
This is great news for everyone, even if you’re not sporty! The fibre of these local sports clubs is woven into the tapestry of our families and our everyday lives. Who hasn’t been to their local footie club to dance the conga round the room at a cousin’s 21st or rushed to the buffet table in their village rugby club at a 50th? We gather in these places to celebrate christenings, baby showers and big birthdays. And we console one another in them at the wakes of loved ones. They hold special memories for so many of us. They are used for slimming clubs, retirement meetings, toddler groups, salsa dancing, and book clubs. And so much more.
I remember many moons ago, our local cricket club was in dire straits. Attendance had been abysmal for a few years and the shabby and uninviting clubhouse was no longer being booked for events. They were broke and in despair. An emergency meeting was held. Fortunately, it was well attended. The proposal was to sell off the land (including the cricket field) to a large building contractor for a luxury housing development. The committee had tried their hardest but the task of keeping the club running, with just a few totally committed but exhausted members, had become too great.
People listened. They pledged money, help and support. They were as good as their word and the club is now a thriving hub of the community. With the backing of many new members and some vital grants, the club picked itself up and found a way forward. It’s now a smart, vibrant place to come and watch the cricket and relax, pint in hand, on a lovely summer’s afternoon.
People become members of sports clubs not just for the sports facilities but also to dine, relax and enjoy themselves in the company of friends and family. So, it’s vitally important to strive to up your game both on and off the pitch! One of the best ways to do this is to refurbish your club and keep it looking modern and fresh.
At Fusion, we have worked on many different types of sports clubs, helping them to improve their overall look at a fraction of the cost of replacing furniture, fixtures and fittings. Instead, we use vinyl wrapping to give a new, fresh, modern look. Although it’s a relatively new concept, vinyl wrapping is rapidly becoming the go-to method to revamp and refurbish thousands of work and leisure spaces. Here’s why:
It’s a fast application without any mess
It’s vastly cheaper than ripping out and replacing
It’s sustainable and saves adding to landfill
It’s durable
There is no end to the different looks you can achieve with the hundreds of finishes we can offer.
So here are a few tips we think you may like to consider to improve the look of your sports club:
Entryway
Make an impression with your entryway. It’s the first place in your club that members will see and the first impression should be appealing and inviting. Consider having one wall wrapped in a striking fabric to help to create a wow factor. Old doors don’t need to be thrown in a skip and replaced at a huge expense. Have them wrapped in a modern grey wood effect, or a shade to suit your current colour scheme – we have hundreds of colours and effects to choose from – to keep things looking modern, flowing and uniform. Make sure it has a fresh coat of paint and if there is space, some comfy chairs to relax in.
Dining Areas
No one wants to see tired and worn-out furniture. Appealing and comfortable dining areas will provide your club members with a reason to stay longer after engaging in or watching a game. If your current dining tables are looking shabby or they’re in an old-fashioned beech effect, have them wrapped to a brand new and hygienic finish to tie in with the rest of the room. Dated kitchens can take on a brand-new look, perhaps choosing a modern grey, blue or green. This will save you 70% of the cost of a brand-new kitchen and you are helping to keep things sustainable by reusing what you already have.
Showers, Bathrooms, Toilets and Lockers
The last thing your members need after enjoying a game of rugby or cricket is to shower and change in an old-fashioned bathroom complete with dingy changing rooms and grubby, battered lockers. We have transformed dozens of bathrooms, showers and changing rooms, and lockers with our expert installers working quickly and effectively without any mess or disruption.
These transformations really do give a Premier League look to your sports club. Also, if you are hosting a party or special event, there is nothing worse than having your guest use a tired, dirty-looking bathroom. Again, we have worked on countless bathrooms in all kinds of settings, to ensure that our clients have up-to-date facilities they are happy and proud for their guests to use.
No matter your budget, there are so many ways to renew your club’s dated look and create the look you want using vinyl wrapping. And on the subject of budgets, here is a list of ten grants your sports club may be eligible for:
10 UK grants you can apply for in 2023 and beyond | LoveAdmin
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Please get in touch with our super friendly team who can talk you through what we have to offer.
