Escape Hunt PLC Re-opening of UK owner-operated sites (8321G)
November 30 2020 - 1:00AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMESC
RNS Number : 8321G
Escape Hunt PLC
30 November 2020
30 November 2020
This announcement contains inside information.
Escape Hunt plc (AIM: ESC)
("Escape Hunt" or the "Company")
Re-opening of UK owner-operated sites and digital progress
Escape Hunt, a global leader in the growing escape rooms sector,
announces an update on opening plans for its UK owner operated
estate following the end of the second period of UK Government
nationally enforced lockdown.
The Board is pleased to confirm that the sites in England, other
than those in areas designated 'tier 3' under the UK Government's
Coronavirus tiered classification system, will re-open on 2
December 2020. The sites that will re-open are Basingstoke,
Liverpool, Norwich, Reading and Oxford.
In addition, the Board is delighted to announce the formal
opening of its newest site in Cheltenham. The fit out was
successfully completed on time and within budget during November
and will officially open its doors on 2 December. Cheltenham is the
12(th) owner-operated site in the UK, and 13(th) in the portfolio,
inclusive of Dubai which re-opened on 20 October 2020 and continues
to trade in line with expectations. Work on the fit-out in Watford,
which will be the 14(th) owner-operated site, continues in line
with plans.
Sites in Birmingham, Birmingham Resorts World, Bristol, Leeds
and Manchester are in areas currently designated tier 3 and will
remain closed pending changes to their respective local tier
classifications. The site in Edinburgh, which is not subject to the
tier system and was not previously forced to close is subject to
revised rules in Scotland for which definitive guidance is not yet
available.
As set out in its announcement on 4 November 2020, the Company
shifted focus to its digital and remote play games during the
lockdown and it is pleased to report strong progress. The business
has seen a significant increase in the level of enquiries and
bookings which have been helped by corporates seeking seasonal
activities for their staff. The Board remains optimistic for the
prospects for these digital and remote play games, not only in the
run-up to Christmas, but also as a permanent feature of our
portfolio.
Commenting on the site developments and recent trading, Richard
Harpham, Escape Hunt's CEO said:
"We are pleased that much of our UK estate will be open from 2
December 2020 and are very excited to be opening our newest site at
the Brewery Quarter in Cheltenham. The performances of both our
recent openings in Norwich and Basingstoke give us cause for
optimism for Cheltenham. Whilst the restrictions imposed by the
tiered system mean life is not able to return to normal, the strong
performance during the schools' half-term week in October, during
which a number of sites were subject to the tier 2 or tier 3
restrictions in place at the time, provides a positive indication
for prospects over the Christmas and New Year period. This will be
further supported by the progress we have made with our digital and
remote play propositions and we approach the future with cautious
optimism."
Enquiries
Escape Hunt plc
Richard Harpham (Chief Executive Officer)
Graham Bird (Chief Financial Officer) +44 (0) 20 7846
Kam Bansil (Investor Relations) 3322
Shore Capital - NOMAD and Joint Broker
Tom Griffiths, David Coaten (Corporate Advisory) +44 (0) 20 7408
Fiona Conroy (Corporate Broking) 4050
Zeus Capital - Joint Broker
John Goold +44 (0) 20 3829
Daniel Harris 5000
IFC Advisory - Financial PR
Graham Herring +44 (0) 20 3934
Florence Chandler 6630
Notes to Editors
About Escape Hunt plc
The Escape Hunt Group is a global leader in providing
escape-the-room experiences delivered through a network of
owner-operated sites in the UK, an international network of
franchised outlets in five continents, and through digitally
delivered games which can be played remotely. Its products enjoy
consistent premium customer ratings and cater for leisure or
teambuilding, in small groups or large, and are suitable for
consumers, businesses and other organisations. Having been
re-admitted to AIM in May 2017, the Company has a strategy of
creating high quality premium games and experiences delivered
through multiple formats and which can incorporate branded IP
content. (https://escapehunt.com/)
Facebook: EscapeHuntUK
Twitter: @EscapeHuntUK
Instagram: @escapehuntuk
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