Services

Business Mentoring

•    Executive team mentoring
•    Executive team work shops and vision days
•    Non Executive board support and adding external resource

The experience sector has never seen such dramatic and forced change as seen during the pandemic.  Organisations have not only had to develop strategies to survive, many now face the need to explore new opportunities and think outside the box.  

The ability to bring in some external support at executive levels at this time can widen a team’s vision and open up ideas and thinking needed to redevelop, re purpose or simply update the current offer.  “we are seeing across the sector how the pandemic has put excessive stress on senior leadership teams, 12 months of survival mode is often hard to shake when you now need to be strategic.”

Many operators and Local Authorities find themselves with multi dimensional risks/challenges due to the pandemic, from simple loss of income, lack of operational depth, or the need to rapidly diversify.  Through our business support we can help unpack and then order objectives.

The need to review all options, develop a strategy and plan, then implement that plan will always benefit from a fresh pair of eyes and additional high level external expertise.

We can support your operation through our involvement from Board level through to day-to-day operational management level.

Full Service Operational Contracting

•    Short term management contract delivery
•    Medium – Long term leisure management solutions

The recent pandemic has made many organisations review critical pathways and in many cases some leisure operations they would like to outsource or need a fresh approach bringing to the table.  With our operations teams now covering large parts of the South East, Midlands and East of England we are now able to support exiting operations with full contract management services.  

Our teams have supported and are currently working with a number of third sector organisations who are looking to outsource some or all of their leisure operations at key assets they want to retain but release the burden of operations.  Here, the combined teams of DPA and DPL bring not only the development angle but an operational solution to Local Authorities, Parks Authorities and other third sector organisations.  We have the ability to reimagine assets and bring operational solutions in both the short term and long term.

On-site Management Services

Health and Safety

Establishing a positive safety culture within your organisation is key to the success of your operations. Doing this gives you peace of mind in knowing that you have a robust system, which will reduce your liability, minimise financial losses due to Personal Injury claims and avoid the potential of enforcement action.

DP Associates can provide a bespoke safety solution for your leisure business, ranging from an essential fixed price solution to an ongoing hands-on support package. 

Our Health and Safety Services include:

  • Health and Safety implementation and review – Health and Safety Policy, Risk Assessments, Safe Working Practices.
  • Health and Safety Audits
  • Attendance at health and safety committee meetings
  • Crisis Management
  • Fire Risk Assessments and Fire Safety Management
  • Food Safety Management 
  • Accident Analysis and Investigation
  • Environmental Management and Procedures
  • COSHH Risk Assessment and Management System 
  • CDM / Construction Health and Safety requirements

As operators of premium leisure attractions, we have the qualifications, skills, and knowledge to deliver pragmatic solutions to you and your team. 

Operational Management Systems

The recent pandemic has meant many organisations have had to reduce the support teams they have become accustomed to operating with.  We have seen first hand as operators how we have all had to look at our teams very closely to see where we can save, or improve efficiency.  One option we are seeing across the sector is a move towards using more outsourcing when and where you need it to avoid carrying too much back room support.

With operations at the heart of our business we are able to provide tailored systems to enhance, streamline and maximise your business efficiency and potential. 

Our operational services include:

Writing and production of 

  • Policies
  • Procedure
  • Operational Manuals
  • Planned Preventive Maintenance Schedules
  • Check Sheets
  • Food and Beverage Management System
  • Customer Service Training 
  • Training, Induction, and Personnel Records

We can then be on hand to train and integrate these new systems into your business, with continued support to monitor the effectiveness via audits and mystery visits. 

Business Planning & Strategy

•    Site selection, feasibility & planning
•    Business planning; start-up, transitional, M&A
•    Operational reviews, implementing change exploring diversification strategies

We provide a support to investors that may be reviewing a challenging investment, a potential opportunity or the need to diversify.

Many operators and investors find themselves with a potential mix of growth opportunities, declining profits or as we are all now seeing rapid diversification needs. The need to review all options, develop a strategy and plan, then implement that plan will always benefit from a fresh pair of eyes and additional high level external expertise.

We can support your operation through our involvement from Board level through to day to day operational level in reviewing, planning and understanding the financial implications or opportunities you might be considering.  Either reacting to threats, or pro actively assessing opportunities; we will help you through this process with a clear focus on the bottom line impact.

Strategic Leisure Planning

A strategic planning perspective can give you a wider understanding of where you are and where you could go with a site, attraction, or multi use scheme. At DP Associates we offer a strategic planning service bringing a wider perspective of the possible.

Through our many years of experience as operators in leisure environments, DP Associates offers advice or consultation to existing and proposed developments, be that working with the existing team or offering critique service to an emerging development plan.  We take a seat at your table and bring a strategic view to support your vision and add value on every page.

Founder Duncan Phillips has brought this value to many schemes we have been involved in from Heritage attractions in early phase development such as Dreamland in Margate, classic amusement parks like Adventure Island in Southend and national entertainment destinations at the National Bowl, and strategic leisure plans for parks authorities.

Aerial view

Master plan

Master Planning – Concept

If you are planning a leisure project or are a current site looking to the future, a robust master plan can become a critical part of any development or business strategy. At DP Associates we offer this service in two stages; the concept master plan and the detailed master plan.

A concept master plan allows the client to communicate their project and its key principals to the development team before detailed master plans are created. This early phase can often prove crucial in gaining support and ‘buy in’ to a project before the expense and detail of the full master plan stage.

Bletchley Park Concept Masterplan

Concept Master Plan for Delta Valley Park

Concept Master Plan for Delta Valley Park

Master Planning – Detailed

If you are planning a leisure project or are a current site looking to the future, a robust master plan can become a critical part of any development or business strategy. At DP Associates we offer this service in two stages; the concept master plan and the detailed master plan.

A concept master plan allows the client to communicate their project and its key principals to the development team before detailed master plans are created. This early phase can often prove crucial in gaining support and ‘buy in’ to a project before the expense and detail of the full master plan stage.

Detailed Master Plan for Eco-Park and Gullivers Land, Milton Keynes, UK

Detailed Master Plan for Eco-Park and Gullivers Land, Milton Keynes, UK

Detailed Master Plan for Burtonwood Theme Park and Hotel Development

Detailed Master Plan for Burtonwood Theme Park and Hotel Development, UK

Architectural Development

Architectural style and texture are key elements in any project. DP Associates offers clients mock up visuals to help define the architectural style of a development.

Below are just a few of the example boards produced during this process.

Elevation of the proposed Burtonwood Heritage Attraction, Warrington

Elevation of the proposed Burtonwood Heritage Attraction, Warrington

Elevation of the proposed Burtonwood Hotel and Conference facilities, Warrington

Elevation of the proposed Burtonwood Hotel and Conference facilities, Warrington

Elevation of Adventureville, indoor theme park in Turkey

Elevation of Adventureville, indoor theme park in Turkey

Large Barn at Eco Park, Milton Keynes

Large Barn at Eco Park, Milton Keynes

Elevation of the proposed Monorail Station at Eco-Park, Milton Keynes

Elevation of the proposed Monorail Station at Eco-Park, Milton Keynes