Indoor laser tag arena

Families and children's party bookings, friendship groups, stag and hen groups, schools, youth clubs and companies running team events.

Price per player per game, party packages, and group or corporate bookings. Snacks, drinks and extra games can add to each visit.

• Managing a small team and rotas
• Customer service and handling bookings
• Budgeting and managing fixed costs
• Safety and crowd management

• Planning permission or change of use for the unit may be needed, so check with your local council before signing a lease
• Fire risk assessment, fire exits and building regulations for the arena fit-out; check requirements with the council and the fire and rescue service
• Public liability insurance, plus employer's liability insurance once you hire staff
• A laser tag arena itself does not usually need a specific licence, but a premises licence is needed from your council if you sell alcohol, and you may need a music licence if you play music, so check what applies
• If you sell food or hot drinks, register your food business with your council at least 28 days before you start trading
• Safety of players, especially children, including staffing ratios, first aid and safeguarding checks for staff
• High fixed costs such as rent and business rates, which make quiet weekdays a risk

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £40,000 to £150,000, depending on the unit, the fit-out and the equipment. Rent, business rates and other fixed costs come on top, so it is worth planning for quiet weekdays.

A laser tag arena itself does not usually need a specific licence, but check what applies to you. A premises licence is needed from your council if you sell alcohol, and you may need a music licence. Also check planning and change of use with your council.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £6,000 to £30,000, depending on location, opening hours and how many group bookings you win. Fixed costs such as rent and business rates can be high, so quiet weekdays matter.