The University of Surrey, UniS, found almost universal support from a customer insight survey and market analysis exercise for its proposed new sport and leisure facilities. The then Director of Sport at UniS, Barry Hitchcock, was delighted with the support received from Leisure-net and is very proud of the new facilities that have been built as a result. See http://www.surreysportspark.co.uk/
Leisure-net gathered information from representative samples of 299 members of the local community, 439 members of staff and 845 students. The interpretation and analysis of these findings was supported by the benefit of their extensive database gathered from research carried out for over 50 clients in the sector and from their regular series of omnibus surveys, HAFOS. Their associate company, Matrix Consultants Limited, undertook an analysis of the market opportunity to develop a fitness product within the proposed new sports and leisure development, and also looked at the provision for swimming in the area.
The assignment generated a great deal of useful information, adding to valuable work already undertaken in-house. The findings of research among the three main stakeholder groups is very supportive of the concept of replacing existing sport and leisure facilities on the proposed new site, which means that there is a reasonable expectation of a positive response from university members and the general public that would support the business plan as currently envisaged.
The demand/feasibility study indicates sufficient evidence of market capacity and volume to recommend that this project be taken to the next stage. In Leisure-net’s opinion, also based on extensive experience as service providers and advisors to dozens of clients in the public and private sector active leisure industry, this is a well-conceived project that should go ahead and will meet the objectives described by the UniS Project Team.