Visitor
Attraction
How to use this
interactive guide?
This
checklist looks at some key factors and is designed to help you decide if
opening a Visitor Attraction is an opportunity for you and your farm or
not.
Taken
overall, if you answer ‘Yes’ to most of the questions posed and like
the broad financials, then opening a Visitor Attraction may well be
feasible.
An
idea
Do
you have ‘an idea’?
Something you know about and can make really special because of
your knowledge/enthusiasm? Do
you have evidence that it appeals to
lots of visitors – hold their attention for 2-3 hours?
Different from what others do/or fills a local ‘gap’.
Ideas that will still be
popular on wet days work best.
There are a lot of farm attractions in the region
and, to succeed, you need to be able to provide something different, you
should note there has been a high failure rate of farm attraction
businesses, particularly farm museums.
Your
Farm
- Well
located to attract: passing trade? holidaymakers?
local residents?
- At
least some interesting features/facilities under cover for wet
days?
- Good
access by road?
Safe
site entrance?
- Space
for car parking?
- Ability
to provide toilet facilities commensurate with size?
- Visitors
not affected by undue farm noise, smells, mess etc?
- Attraction
does not create conflict with farm operation?
You
(and your family)
- Committed
to
‘the idea’?
A bit of a ‘showman’, ‘out front’ revelling in
talking about the attraction to visitors?
- Have
above average marketing skills?
- Recognise
need for staff or very high level of own/family time?
- Recognise
continuous operation implications? (all day/week/year)
- Peak
time may coincide with peak farm time?
- Comfortable
with lots of people around, including children?
Financials
- Farm
attractions are a ‘high’ health and safety risk, which
impacts on capital costs and insurance premiums.
- Even
a modest attraction can cost £50,000-£100,000 – this
includes planning permission, access, ‘the Attraction’,
toilet and washing facilities, signage, reception/shop,
refreshments and play equipment.
Capital costs will depend partly on the existing suite of
buildings.
- Profit
potentially 15%-25% of turnover, the higher levels being
achieved when the Attraction is run totally by family members.
- Loan
interest/repayment. To repay £10,000 over 10 years @ 8% interest requires
annual outlay of £1,500.
What is your initial conclusion?
Looking
at the above questions under Your Farm and You (and your family) and
the outline Financials -
Is this an option you should be considering?
Would
you like to continue?
Bed
and Breakfast - Self-catering
- Static
caravan site
Camping/Touring
caravan site - Camping
Barn/bunkhouse
Visitor Attraction
- Restaurant/Tea
Room
*This
Guide has been produced by South West Tourism, working through MPA. It
was originally developed with the assistance of DEFRA and EAGGF
funding.
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