Hard work paid off for the owners of a new crazy golf venue when the community filled the premises with laughter and smiles.
On Saturday, Chris Gooderson and Chris Atkins opened the doors to their new Tiki-themed venue, Volcano Valley in Wisbech.
The premises, located in the former Frankie and Benny’s building near The Light cinema on the Cromwell Leisure Park, features a cocktail bar, karaoke area, dart boards and both regular crazy golf and glow golf.
Staff at the new venue in Wisbech
After “pulling an all-nighter” with help from family members and the support of local tradesmen in the evenings leading up to the opening to get the finishing touches completed, customers started flowing in from 10am.
Mr Gooderson, from Outwell, said it was busy throughout the afternoon and by the evening it was packed – with staff making cocktails, dart lanes full and the karaoke room occupied by a group of girls, as well as all those on the golf courses.
It is thought that around 150 people went along on the opening day.
“Lots of people were laughing and having a good time. It made a really nice atmosphere and everyone was relaxed,” Mr Gooderson said. “I am really humbled by the response.”
The karaoke room has proven to be a hit
Within just days of opening, Volcano Valley has received “such amazing feedback”, particularly on its pricing.
Although the venue is completed in terms of main projects, customers will still be able to spot new tweaks to the venue and can have their say on what they would like to see.
Mr Gooderson added: “I don’t think I will ever finish. There are still bits I want to add to it, and I will keep going. I like to add new things, so when people come back, they see different things as well.
Lots of families attended the open day
“There are some motion sensors and things I want to add.
“Customers are coming up with lots of ideas and I have almost listened to every single one that has come through the door.”
The venue is giving the whole community somewhere to go. Since opening, there have been young families and children, as well as teenagers and elderly residents going in.
There is an adventure golf
One customer told Mr Gooderson that “it is nice to have somewhere that feels really safe and relaxed to go and just enjoy ourselves”.
“It gives somewhere where the town can go and have a good time and relax. Life is tough for a lot of us, so it is somewhere you can come and forget about that for a couple of hours and just enjoy yourself,” Mr Gooderson said.
Seeing everyone having fun and laughing on Saturday made Mr Gooderson feel like all the hard work paid off.
A karaoke room is available to hire out privately
However, this seems to be just the beginning for the owners, who aim to open a chain of venues.
Once this business is stabilised and consistent, Mr Gooderson and Mr Atkins – from Emneth – will look at expanding and opening more units with the “same kind of vibe but with different activities” across West Norfolk and Cambridgeshire.
Mr Gooderson added: “We would like to get three set up to start with because there are not a lot of entertainment venues anywhere between Norwich and Peterborough, so we are looking to set up a few like this but with different activities.”
Volcano Valley is aimed at the whole family
Volcano Valley is open Mondays-Thursdays 10am-6pm, Fridays and Saturdays 10am-10pm, and Sundays 10am-5pm.
The venue was previously a food premises
There is a dedicated space for darts
The venue is Tiki-themed
The golf course is perfect if you are looking for a challenge
There is a space to relax and socialise
There is even a cocktail bar
The premises has been turned into an entertainment venue