new business idea.

[Steve6710]

Hi all, new to the forum.

I am considering setting up a new business, with the rise in popularity of the PDC Darts, I thought it may be a good idea to set up a bar specifically for darts.
A place for local community to play social darts, but also with an emphasis on league, tournament and corporate groups etc.
I have a number of ideas about engagement and retention of customer base, ie interactive scoring systems etc, food and drink. Competitively priced.
However as this is a new business, the nagging question I have is would people pay to hire a dart board? My pricing policy on draft p&l is set at £5 per hour.
Any thoughts would be welcomed.

 

[chalkie99]

Hmm,

Let me think ......

A place to play darts in a social setting, with a league to compete in if desired and food and drink available too ......

Oh yes, .... it's already been done!

Have you ever been to a pub?

 

[Steve6710]

Hmm,

Let me think ......

A place to play darts in a social setting, with a league to compete in if desired and food and drink available too ......

Oh yes, .... it's already been done!

Have you ever been to a pub?

LOL, yes What I am looking at doing is replicating the atmosphere of the PDC into a local venue, specifically for darts, enabling local people to be on stage, filmed etc. Most pubs now focus on food.

 

[Gordon - Commercial Finance]

Hmm,

Let me think ......

A place to play darts in a social setting, with a league to compete in if desired and food and drink available too ......

Oh yes, .... it's already been done!

Have you ever been to a pub?

Pubs also have pool tables...but there are still pools halls where you can rent a table by the hour. Would this be so different?

 

[RocketHosting]

It could work maybe if you themed the interior maybe with some nice dart themed memorabilia, would not need to be experience items (maybe look around on ebay ect), maybe once a week have a night that has a single night league that will raise money for some local cause, If you have contacts in the darts field maybe if you have a members register of people who taking part in the league as regulars some type of raffle if you are able to obtain some unique items or maybe tickets to events.

 

[Steve6710]

It could work maybe if you themed the interior maybe with some nice dart themed memorabilia, would not need to be experience items (maybe look around on ebay ect), maybe once a week have a night that has a single night league that will raise money for some local cause, If you have contacts in the darts field maybe if you have a members register of people who taking part in the league as regulars some type of raffle if you are able to obtain some unique items or maybe tickets to events.

Excellent Rocket, thank you for your reply. Plan is to theme the interior, Will cater for different ability levels and provide stats etc 3 dart avg on website. We have considered handing out raffle tickets to all attendees and doing a draw each evening to get them on the main stage board and have the chance of winning prizes etc.

 

[Mr D]

Not pay to hire a dartboard.
However pay to play, pay annual membership etc?

Presumably darts players will be able to get a dartboard to practice at home. Easy enough for them to bring in rather than hire.

What they don't get at home is the social aspect, the competition, the groupies etc. Can something be built around what can be provided?

 

[RocketHosting]

If you are going to advertise online too, I would advise you use Facebook and join a lot of the free local buying and selling group, most will not allow you to advertise the business but most will allow you to share charity events, if you hold the odd or two of these in the early days you will attract people to the events which you may not make much from them events as they are for charitable purposes but if people like the food / friendly service and atmosphere they will return as fully paying customers, maybe also offer "free wifi" which can help with people "checking in" on social media which can also draw their friends and family to check of the venue.

 

[Steve6710]

Not pay to hire a dartboard.
However pay to play, pay annual membership etc?

Presumably darts players will be able to get a dartboard to practice at home. Easy enough for them to bring in rather than hire.

What they don't get at home is the social aspect, the competition, the groupies etc. Can something be built around what can be provided?

Thanks Mr D, yes idea is to pay to play, you are right people can play from home, but as you also point out the social aspect, competition and groupies etc will all aide in the creation of an alternative night out for both regular players and non players looking for a different type of night out. Pricing point at £5 an hour ie 2 people on a board £2.50 each is cheap, but the attitude of people paying for something that they have not had to pay for before is the question I guess, so by providing a unique themed facility, I hope to counter the norm.

 

[Steve6710]

If you are going to advertise online too, I would advise you use Facebook and join a lot of the free local buying and selling group, most will not allow you to advertise the business but most will allow you to share charity events, if you hold the odd or two of these in the early days you will attract people to the events which you may not make much from them events as they are for charitable purposes but if people like the food / friendly service and atmosphere they will return as fully paying customers, maybe also offer "free wifi" which can help with people "checking in" on social media which can also draw their friends and family to check of the venue.

Thanks again Rocket, all excellent points you mention, much appreciated

 

[BusterBloodvessel]

Nice idea - it works for pool halls! (Although as said, a dartboard is easier to have at home).

I wouldn't personally focus too much on the stage, filming, raffle etc or certainly not as your "main attraction" - you aren't going to get people coming in for that every night. Perhaps set up for that once a month or something as a big night with a more casual "hire a board" or some small "roll up" competitions on general nights.

I think it goes without saying that a good drinks (alcoholic for sure!) and snack offering will be where you can make your extra money.

I'm not sure there would be huge potential for a multi-million pound business if I'm honest due to the still relatively low target audience, even if it is growing. But for a darts enthusiast I think there's a potential of a nice lifestyle business, definitely worth doing some more investigating on I think!

 

[Steve6710]

Nice idea - it works for pool halls! (Although as said, a dartboard is easier to have at home).

I wouldn't personally focus too much on the stage, filming, raffle etc or certainly not as your "main attraction" - you aren't going to get people coming in for that every night. Perhaps set up for that once a month or something as a big night with a more casual "hire a board" or some small "roll up" competitions on general nights.

I think it goes without saying that a good drinks (alcoholic for sure!) and snack offering will be where you can make your extra money.

I'm not sure there would be huge potential for a multi-million pound business if I'm honest due to the still relatively low target audience, even if it is growing. But for a darts enthusiast I think there's a potential of a nice lifestyle business, definitely worth doing some more investigating on I think!

Thanks Buster, great advise much appreciated. more food for thought

 

[Inva]

A place to play darts in a social setting, with a league to compete in if desired and food and drink available too ......

Oh yes, .... it's already been done!

So? Your point is...?

 

[Mr D]

So? Your point is...?

 

[Graham Tyers]

Build it, and they will come.

I went to pick up some billiard balls from a local specialist darts/snooker/pool/billiards equipment supplier and the place was rammed with enthusiasts there for the environment.

I think it's a bonkers idea and I love it. Get a resident pro on board so they can train there too, sell gear, do exhibitions.

I see something that's far from being in competition with a pub.

 

[mattk]

I think this is a really good idea as well. You have a number of charging models:

Pay per game (similar to coin operated pool tables)
Pay hourly
Membership
Competition fees

Personally, I would be tempted to use a mixture of membership fees for regulars, pay per game for casual players and competition fees where you keep a percentage of the entry fees and the rest is prize money.

On top of the above you also have revenue opportunities selling dart equipment and supplies, food and drink and merchandise.

I would calculate your costs and then work backwards to how much you need to turnover.

 

[Steve6710]

Build it, and they will come.

I went to pick up some billiard balls from a local specialist darts/snooker/pool/billiards equipment supplier and the place was rammed with enthusiasts there for the environment.

I think it's a bonkers idea and I love it. Get a resident pro on board so they can train there too, sell gear, do exhibitions.

I see something that's far from being in competition with a pub.

Thank you, bonkers can be good The retail angle is something to explore and yes a totally different experience to the mainstream pubs. Thanks for the feedback, appreciated

 

[Steve6710]

I think this is a really good idea as well. You have a number of charging models:

Pay per game (similar to coin operated pool tables)
Pay hourly
Membership
Competition fees

Personally, I would be tempted to use a mixture of membership fees for regulars, pay per game for casual players and competition fees where you keep a percentage of the entry fees and the rest is prize money.

On top of the above you also have revenue opportunities selling dart equipment and supplies, food and drink and merchandise.

I would calculate your costs and then work backwards to how much you need to turnover.

Thanks Matt, excellent, membership fees is something we have considered and may run in conjunction with a discount for members. Some great thoughts and ideas for initially local tournaments and events, but you have raised a great point regarding mixture of fees. Much appreciated.

 

[Mr D]

Bonkers ideas can be made to work and make a name for themselves. Look at how many other industries and businesses started up from bonkers ideas.
Those two bike mechanics who invented a flying machine for example... Bonkers idea.

 

[Steve6710]

Bonkers ideas can be made to work and make a name for themselves. Look at how many other industries and businesses started up from bonkers ideas.
Those two bike mechanics who invented a flying machine for example... Bonkers idea.

Haha totally agree, sometimes you need to think away from the norm to create a vision that is unique.

 

[Mr D]

Thanks Matt, excellent, membership fees is something we have considered and may run in conjunction with a discount for members. Some great thoughts and ideas for initially local tournaments and events, but you have raised a great point regarding mixture of fees. Much appreciated.

Can be worth touring around other membership groups / sports / entertainment to see what they do and what they provide.
Take notes. Including what doesn't work for someone else but could be made to work.

 

[Steve6710]

Can be worth touring around other membership groups / sports / entertainment to see what they do and what they provide.
Take notes. Including what doesn't work for someone else but could be made to work.

Thanks Mr D, great idea, have been doing a lot of research, so will add this thought to the list, as you say it might not work in one setting but might work in another. Thank you so much.

 

[WaveJumper]

Reach out to local businesses maybe a bit of a corporate event, been to many bowling, pool and even clay pigeon shooting, why not a corporate darts tournament ?

 

[Steve6710]

Reach out to local businesses maybe a bit of a corporate event, been to many bowling, pool and even clay pigeon shooting, why not a corporate darts tournament ?

Totally agree, could be used for team building, business networking etc, many thanks Wavejumper

 

[Mr D]

Reach out to local businesses maybe a bit of a corporate event, been to many bowling, pool and even clay pigeon shooting, why not a corporate darts tournament ?

Sounds good. Problem I've noticed over the years is that some areas have a shortage of low cost corporate events available - when having to fork out £60 each to attend a work do its not necessarily worth bothering. Paying out £10 to £20 for an evening out... much easier.

 

[Steve6710]

Sounds good. Problem I've noticed over the years is that some areas have a shortage of low cost corporate events available - when having to fork out £60 each to attend a work do its not necessarily worth bothering. Paying out £10 to £20 for an evening out... much easier.

Agree Mr D, affordability so that no one is excluded due to cost.

 

[Forgot password]

Brilliant idea Steve well done.. what city you going to be launching in as I don’t want to compete with you if I open my own

 

[Steve6710]

Brilliant idea Steve well done.. what city you going to be launching in as I don’t want to compete with you if I open my own

Thanks James Can you delay your opening for 12 months, then I can sell you a franchise option lol.

 

[billybob99]

Good idea.

 

[Steve6710]

Good idea.

Thanks Billybob

 

[Forgot password]

Actually Steve I would be interested in that. Keep in touch.

I am in Norwich.

 

[Steve6710]

Actually Steve I would be interested in that. Keep in touch.

I am in Norwich.

Will do James, as soon as we get launched will send you details and invite you UP for a visit

 

[CVRO]

Steve,
Not sure if you planning on using PDC branding as part of your idea but if you are, you should contact them to get a written agreement.
You could also look at bowling alleys' business models as there may be some good info on them for you.

 

[treez]

I would make it a no frills pub with darts, else youll never get people who play darts in, its just too much money , and no-one's got any money today in UK....make it a bare walled place,with the ridiculously cheapest bear you can buy...let people bring in their own bear even....and make money out of advertising hoardings on the walls..and work on quantity rather than quality...lots of premises making little money...then maybe people will get out of their flats and bedsits and come to your place and chuck a couple of arrows..

Chuck a few shipping containers in the yard outside...and flog dirt cheap imported stuff from China to your clientele...lightbulbs, plungers etc etc etc...you'd be amazed at the massive mark-up that their is on chinese imports to UK....put it this way, what the UK citizen pays for a chinese light bulb is one heck of a lot more than what the UK middle man pays the chinese for it.......get your clients in on dirt cheap bear...then start flogging them cheap chinese stuff whilst they are there chucking arrows and having a natter with their buds.

 

[billybob99]

I would make it a no frills pub with darts, else youll never get people who play darts in, its just too much money , and no-one's got any money today in UK....make it a bare walled place,with the ridiculously cheapest bear you can buy...let people bring in their own bear even....and make money out of advertising hoardings on the walls..and work on quantity rather than quality...lots of premises making little money...then maybe people will get out of their flats and bedsits and come to your place and chuck a couple of arrows..

Chuck a few shipping containers in the yard outside...and flog dirt cheap imported stuff from China to your clientele...lightbulbs, plungers etc etc etc...you'd be amazed at the massive mark-up that their is on chinese imports to UK....put it this way, what the UK citizen pays for a chinese light bulb is one heck of a lot more than what the UK middle man pays the chinese for it.......get your clients in on dirt cheap bear...then start flogging them cheap chinese stuff whilst they are there chucking arrows and having a natter with their buds.

Have you been smoking what your username suggests.

 

[treez]

There are at least two threads on this forum (General business forum) that can help you with the chinese import bit...
Thread number 396388 and
Thread number 396805

..i dont reckon your plan will work unless you do that.....nobodys got money for pub darts in UK any more...there has to be some extra financial motivation for them to go to your gaff.

Someones on a zero hours contract.....they dont go down the pub, let alone hire a dart board whilst they are there.
In the '80's people would work an hour or two overtime to earn money for a beer....nobody has overtime any more, it doesnt exist..all british products virtually come from china now....theres no industry left for them to do overtime in.

 

[treez]

ive heard even wetherspoons has seen profits fall lately. I know your more likely to see jenga there than darts, but its the same malaise Steve will be facing.

 

[Mr D]

There are at least two threads on this forum (General business forum) that can help you with the chinese import bit...
Thread number 396388 and
Thread number 396805

..i dont reckon your plan will work unless you do that.....nobodys got money for pub darts in UK any more...there has to be some extra financial motivation for them to go to your gaff.

Someones on a zero hours contract.....they dont go down the pub, let alone hire a dart board whilst they are there.
In the '80's people would work an hour or two overtime to earn money for a beer....nobody has overtime any more, it doesnt exist..all british products virtually come from china now....theres no industry left for them to do overtime in.

LOL - my missus does a 30 hour week. Pretty much every month she has 6 or more hours overtime, very rare to get a week with no overtime. Run up to Christmas its rare to get a shift with no overtime.
My last job I could run up 10 hours of overtime some weeks - a few of the younger lads did 30 hours overtime when needed in a week. The job needs doing someone has to do it, getting replacement staff at short notice can be a LOT more expensive than overtime.

And for a country that is 9th in manufacturing league tables we do have rather a lot of products being produced in Britain. For British companies.

 

[Steve6710]

Steve,
Not sure if you planning on using PDC branding as part of your idea but if you are, you should contact them to get a written agreement.
You could also look at bowling alleys' business models as there may be some good info on them for you.

Steve,
Not sure if you planning on using PDC branding as part of your idea but if you are, you should contact them to get a written agreement.
You could also look at bowling alleys' business models as there may be some good info on them for you.

Thanks CVRO, no plan on using their branding, was more the concept of what they have created being replicated at a local level. Great idea about the bowling alley set and will research. Thank you

 

[Steve6710]

I would make it a no frills pub with darts, else youll never get people who play darts in, its just too much money , and no-one's got any money today in UK....make it a bare walled place,with the ridiculously cheapest bear you can buy...let people bring in their own bear even....and make money out of advertising hoardings on the walls..and work on quantity rather than quality...lots of premises making little money...then maybe people will get out of their flats and bedsits and come to your place and chuck a couple of arrows..

Chuck a few shipping containers in the yard outside...and flog dirt cheap imported stuff from China to your clientele...lightbulbs, plungers etc etc etc...you'd be amazed at the massive mark-up that their is on chinese imports to UK....put it this way, what the UK citizen pays for a chinese light bulb is one heck of a lot more than what the UK middle man pays the chinese for it.......get your clients in on dirt cheap bear...then start flogging them cheap chinese stuff whilst they are there chucking arrows and having a natter with their buds.

Hi Treez, if nobody has money where would they find the money to buy cheap imported goods from China? Appreciate your thoughts, but have no aspirations of getting in to importing. Although after reading this I may look for a shipping container to hide in