THE head of Belfast-based adventure company We Are Vertigo has outlined new multi-million pound expansion plans for Britain and Ireland.
Speaking to The Irish News, Gareth Murphy (45), who runs the business with his wife Lorna, said he hopes to have an additional two sites open next year as the company is set to grow its operations outside of Northern Ireland.
We are Vertigo, which was founded in 2013, has two sites in Belfast - an indoor trampoline park, adventure centre and indoor ski facility at Knockbreda and an indoor skydiving centre in the Titanic Quarter, which opened last February.
In January the innovative company, which employs 165 people, will also bring two new concepts to the city, with a 110ft long indoor Ninja Warrior assault course being added to the company’s Titanic Quarter site. In addition a new Inflata Park will replace the firm’s existing trampoline facility in Newtownbreda as part of an overall £1 million investment.
Looking further ahead Mr Murphy confirmed the company was currently looking at several sites in Dublin and exploring opportunities in both England and Scotland.
"It's too early to say (numbers) at the moment," Mr Murphy said.
"We are looking at a growth strategy, looking at different locations and we're undertaking that process at the moment.
"It very much depends of the negotiations securing the properties, but we're hoping that in 2019 we'll have another two sites open."
To date the company has spent around £4 million developing its operations in Belfast and at least the same figure again is set to be invested in the latest phase of growth.
"Expansion is expensive, but we're very confident in our business plan, we're confident in how we run the business and the experience we give to customers. The past five years has given us a lot of confidence," Mr Murphy continued.
"Our expansion will be based upon what we think the right product mix will fit into the market we're going into. We've got several different markets that we're looking at that will dictate configuration of the equipment.
"Skydiving is a incredibly well received product which will probably form a big part of any of the developments we will be undertaking, along with some of the other activities that we've brought to Northern Ireland.
"It will all change depending on the configuration of each site, but we've got a model now that has delivered significant employment."
As for Belfast, the former ski instructor revealed that the city is also set to benefit from further adventure infrastructure at the Titanic site, the details of which are set to be revealed in the new year.
"It will be some new indoor stuff that will add to what we're doing and it will be very innovative and it will be challenging for people. We like the idea of people pushing their boundaries, getting better at things and overcoming their fears and that's what we try to do in a safe, fun environment."
"We're at capacity in Newtownbreda, that's why we're also looking at other investments and other buildings. There may be things we want to do, but we don't have capacity. If we want to do something and we need another building we will source that," Mr Murphy added.
