Your business lives from the guests. Since these are not allowed to visit during the crisis, some leisure companies had to get creative. But there is also fear.
Normally Wolfgang Schöll would now discuss day-to-day business with his brother Michael. But the corona crisis has changed everything for the 29-year-old entrepreneur. He and his brother have been running the black light factory and the Pit-Pat Wonderland in the Würzburg Posthalle since 2016. Germany’s first escape boat was added last year in Würzburg. But now everything is different. The doors are closed and it is unclear when they may open again. Schöll knows that makes you inventive.
Photo: Daniel Peter
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The brothers bring the Escape Games home while the visitors are not allowed to use the leisure activities. “A chest is the game,” explains Wolfgang Schöll. Escape games usually take place in one room, sometimes in several small rooms. The basic task is to find your way out of the room where the players are mostly locked up. At home games, the goal is to crack the puzzles on site. There are two different chests to choose from. “And everything is under the motto of home delivery service,” says Schöll. In other words, customers order online, the brothers then deliver the chests to their home without contact, briefly instruct them in the game and pick up the chest after a few hours or the next day. So far, only families and couples have used the offer, “but I can imagine that it is also great for shared apartments.”
Even before the Corona crisis, the brothers had the idea of introducing escape games for the home. Now the entrepreneurs want to see how the offer is accepted and, if necessary, continue to offer it after the Corona crisis. So far, the feedback has been positive.
Lasertag counts on voucher sales
The manager of Lasertag Würzburg also experienced an unusual situation. David Kügel is usually in a lot of customer contact and helps himself. When he found out about the forced closure, he was shocked. “For example, we live largely from stag and hen parties, we lose all of that,” he says in an interview with this editorial team. He now uses the time for conversion work and tries to keep himself afloat by selling coupons. “Customers can save ten percent if they support us with voucher purchases,” says Kügel.
Photo: Kügel
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He had to send his permanent employees in short-time work, his 450 euro workers only work on an hourly basis anyway. “From time to time we try to hire our temporary help for repairs or cleaning work, that helps us, but also them.” Of course, but with observance of all hygiene regulations and compliance with distances. Despite everything: “The turnover looks bad.”
The Association of German Leisure Entrepreneurs is worried
The Association of German Leisure Parks and Leisure Enterprises (VDFU) is also aware of this. In a press release he made it clear: “Taking into account connected (i.e. park-owned) accommodations and shops, the forecast sales losses between March 15 and April 30 are already over 300 million euros.” Around 40 percent of VDFU member companies are currently at risk of bankruptcy due to the corona pandemic.
Christian Perleth is also hit hard by the crisis. You actually know him under the name Zappalott. As a magician, he regularly makes families laugh with his shows. But how should you do this in times of Corona? Without appearances, without contact. In collaboration with the city of Würzburg, he came up with something: audio stories for children. “Experience ZaPPaloTT’s fun and crazy everyday life with his cheeky tomcat ZaPPsel, the talking ketchup bottle of tomatoMark and all his friends,” says his website. A new episode of around ten minutes appears every Friday. These can be heard on ZaPPaloTT’s website or on Youtube: www.youtube.com/zaubererzappalott.
Boulder Hall was in the middle of the high season
When Andreas Schmitt found out that he had to close his “Rock Inn” bouldering hall in Zellerau, he felt a sense of confusion and uncertainty. “What’s going on here? Is that real?” He wonders first. Then there are worrying questions about how long the situation will last, which is wise to do now.
Photo: Daniel Peter
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Before the crisis, the hall was in the middle of the high season. In autumn, Schmitt opened the new children’s area and boulder extension with managing director colleague Thomas Meyer, and in winter he handled some events and the stressful everyday life. “It was a stressful time,” recalls Schmitt. Today, almost six weeks after the closure, the operators are more relaxed with regard to everyday work. “Despite the concerns about the future, one tries to keep a clear head and to see the chances of the crisis.”
Customer support through vouchers
You tried to take action on three levels: First, internal and drastic reduction of running costs. Second, open communication with regular customers. Third, resort to government support. “We are very lucky that many of our regular customers support us in a crisis, through ongoing subscriptions,” he says. Many also use the opportunity to buy vouchers on the website. “It helps us a lot.” And the landlord and the cleaning company are also willing to compromise.
However, Schmitt is disappointed by the state. “Surely short-time working with permanent employees is helpful, but it does not include mini-jobbers, the majority of our team.” He hopes for more support here, because the managing directors have not received any feedback on their application for emergency aid. “So far you feel left in the rain.” The duration of the closure and the medium-term future after reopening will decide whether they have weathered the crisis.
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