Client: CONKERS

CONKERS is a leading visitor attraction in the National Forest. The attraction has been developed over two phases on a former colliery site – the first phase included the Heart of the National Forest Visitor Centre along with craft units and an education centre. The second phase opened up a further 108 acres of land leading to the development of CONKERS and a large discovery centre. Over the years there has been investment within the visitor attraction including developing a covered amphitheatre, indoor play, an extensive outdoor play and activity offer, barefoot walk and an aerial high ropes, climbing wall and zip wire experience. A key element of a sustainable visitor attraction operation is the preparation of a long-term development masterplan with a programme of capital investment to refresh the visitor experience. This helps to maintain and increase the level of repeat visits and penetrate new markets to encourage additional visits, along with creating positive PR opportunties.

This module of work focussed on working with the operations team at CONKERS to review the opportunity for an aerial walkway between the Discovery and Waterside Centres. Our work included a market assessment with a particular focus on the demographic profile of the core catchment market. This, coupled with a review of comparator examples, led to a forecast of future visitor numbers based related specifically to the introduction of an aerial walkway. Find more about CONKERS here.

How can we help?
If you have any questions about forecasting visitor numbers please don’t hesitate to call Richard Linington on 023 9248 1999 or email richard@pslplan.co.uk