West Midlands leisure operation acquired in multi-million-pound deal

A trampoline park operator with a site in the West Midlands has been acquired in a new multi-million pound deal.

Air Space Trampoline, a subsidiary of Go Ape and one of the early innovators in the UK trampolining market, operates three parks in the UK – one in Wolverhampton, plus East Kilbride and Stevenage.

The 50,000 sq ft Wolverhampton facility is situated in Wednesfield, close to the Bentley Bridge retail park.

The business has been acquired by Oxygen Freejumping, the UK’s largest trampoline park operator, in an all-cash deal.

Oxygen was keen on the business as the sites are in locations where the company is currently unrepresented.

The acquisition, its first in the UK, brings Oxygen’s portfolio to 10 sites around the country and it said the deal was in line with its strategy of reaching 20 parks by the end of 2018.

Funding for the acquisition was provided by NM Capital, the London based private investment company focusing on high growth businesses in sectors including leisure and consumer brands.

Oxygen Freejumping was founded in late 2014 by Fred Turok, founder of LA Fitness, and David Stalker, former CEO of ukactive and managing director of Harpers Fitness Clubs.

Mr Stalker, CEO of Oxygen Freejumping, said: “We are delighted to have acquired these three sites and to consolidate our number one position in the UK market.  The parks are highly cash generative, conveniently located in high footfall areas and run by highly experienced management teams with a focus on delivering a safe and high quality experience to our customers.”

Chris St. George, principal of NM Capital, added: “We founded NM Capital two years ago to back ambitious entrepreneurs who have the potential to create exceptional value.  We see this as a great opportunity, and look forward to working with David Stalker and his team as they further establish Oxygen Freejumping as the market leader in this exciting sector.”