An indoor football centre in Stoke-on-Trent has revamped its bar area to create a new destination for sports fans.
Kix, in Hanley, has launched a sports bar which is open to the public, featuring a pool table, interactive darts, hot and cold drinks, food and TV screens showing Sky Sports, with plans to add TNT Sports.
The move forms part of a wider strategy to diversify income streams and increase use of the site outside peak hours, with the team also targeting businesses, schools and community groups.
Daily Focus reported on the launch of the facility last year, which offers street football and a 3G pitch, as well as children’s parties.
The venue also has bookable rooms allowing businesses to combine training, meetings, team building or away days with sporting activities. They have also been working with charities and organisations like the SOT Youth Collective and Ulysses Youth to host activities and events for young people.
Director Chris Hall said: “We had a slow start as an indoor facility with the hottest summer on record but things picked up a lot in November and December. Our mailing list subscribers went from 1,000 to 4,000 in the space of a couple of months.
“People have been coming for parties and really enjoying themselves, but we want to let people know that we are not just a children’s party venue. We are a bit of hidden resource in the community.
“As well as our family-friendly sports bar, which is open to the public, we want to use our site more in the daytime by offering discounted use to local businesses, schools and community groups.”
Chris said the team plans to develop the sports bar further over the coming months, to make it a ‘go to place’ to watch the World Cup, which kicks off in June.
