Mini golf acquisition tees up £20m investment deal for Midlands entrepreneur
A Birmingham-based leisure business has been acquired by one of the Midlands’ leading entrepreneurs in a deal valued at £20m.
Staffordshire-based Waterworld Leisure Group, owned by charismatic British Asian entrepreneur Mo Chaudry, has acquired Adventure Island Mini Golf with the aim of expanding the leisure operation.
Waterworld Group acquired the indoor golf business, which is based at the Star City complex, from owner and founder John Whitehead, who will John Whitehead will continue to run the Birmingham business while also heading up the group expansion strategy alongside Mr Chaudry.
The acquisition will form the basis of a £20m investment by Mr Chaudry over the next five years with the aim of taking the leisure brand nationwide.
The Adventure Mini Golf business, founded nine years ago, is England’s first indoor tropical adventure complex and features two themed 18-hole crazy golf courses, located across three levels.
The course features tiki huts, waterfalls, volcanoes as well as a ‘Lost Hut Trail’ and ‘Hidden Cove Challenge’.
The Waterworld Group is now identifying keys towns and cities to roll out a chain of Adventure Mini Golf centres across the UK.
This process will see a second Adventure Island Mini Golf & Trampoline Centre launch at the Waterworld complex in Stoke-on-Trent, which is expected to open by the middle of next year.
Mr Chaudry, who has also appeared on the Channel 4 show ‘Secret Millionaire’, said: “The acquisition of Adventure Mini Golf fits perfectly within the Waterworld Group’s leisure portfolio. We have ambitious plans to expand this exciting brand and concept which has a proven track record.
“It is an exciting concept and one which we believe will be a huge success across the UK. We plan to fund and roll out 20 of these indoor adventure golf centres across the UK, with a target to open around four new centres each year for the next five years.”
Mr Whitehead said: “We have had an incredibly successful time over the last nine years, making Adventure Island Mini Golf one of most successful destination leisure attractions in the Midlands. The time is now right to expand and develop the brand further, working with Mo Chaudry and the Waterworld Group will allow us to realise the full potential of this fun and exciting concept nationwide.
“Mo has an exceptional track record both in leisure management and promoting tourism projects. His track record and success is well documented turning Waterworld around from a loss-making leisure attraction into one of the most successful water theme parks in the UK.”
