Ping Pong venture bounces into Salford
A MANCHESTER entrepreneur has launched a table tennis venue on the back of growing interest in the sport.
Gary Wilson has opened the Ping Pong Arch in a Salford railway arch just off Trinity Way, inspired by an increase in table tennis events and the success of London’s Bounce which combines table tennis with a bar and restaurant.
Mr Wilson, who also runs an aquariums business called Aqua-tech, wants the Ping Pong Arch to have the same feel as a ten-pin bowling alley which mixes sport with socialising.
He said: “There have been quite a few pop-up ping pong events in Manchester. The Yang Sing restaurant has a monthly event through a London company called Ping and there are a couple of bars in London, like Bounce, which are modelled on a New York-style bar and restaurant. We’re aiming for something along those lines.”
The 3,000 sq ft space, rented from Network Rail, has six tables which cost £10 an hour to hire. Once licences are in place it will also serve food and drink, including real ales from the First Chop microbrewery which is based in a neighbouring arch.
Mr Wilson, who has had funded the venture himself, is also keen to market the space for corporate events.
