Weekend woodland paintball site

Stag and hen groups, birthday parties, friends and families, work teams, youth groups and scout-style organisations.

A per-person entry fee that usually includes equipment and a starter pack of paintballs, plus extra paint, food and drink, and group or corporate packages.

• Safety-minded and good at running briefings
• Organising bookings and staff rotas
• Friendly, confident customer service
• Basic practical skills for building and repairing the site

• Planning permission or change of use for the land, and any rules in your lease, so check with the local council first
• Public liability insurance that specifically covers paintball, and employer's liability insurance once you take on staff
• Rules on operating paintball sites and handling markers, so check current UK and local requirements, and consider joining a recognised industry body
• Age limits, parental consent and signed waivers for younger players
• Trained marshals, first aid cover, compressed air cylinder testing and accident recording
• Neighbour noise, paint and waste disposal, and weather affecting bookings

Startup costs are typically around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on the land, equipment, safety kit and site build. These are estimates, so cost your own site, insurance and staffing carefully before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on how many bookings you take and whether you open beyond weekends, from about 16 hours a week. These are estimates, and weather can affect bookings.

Check planning permission or change of use and your lease with the council. Look at paintball-specific public liability insurance, current UK and local rules on operating sites and markers, age limits and waivers, trained marshals, first aid and cylinder testing.