Already predicted to be a challenging year for many companies due to the sustained economic depression, UK water leisure companies faced the additional challenge of arctic conditions as they welcomed in 2013. After what weather experts have confirmed as one of the wettest years on record in 2012, January was beset with prolonged snow and freezing conditions that played havoc throughout January. Nearly all UK water leisure businesses were impacted in some way
Hot tubs
Now in its fourth year, the annual UK Pool & Spa Awards are run by Pool & Spa Scene magazine, this year, in association with the UK Pool & Spa Expo.
With over 250,000 cabins sold worldwide and annual sales of more than 20,000, you would not describe Health Mate as the newest kids on the sauna and wellness block. In fact, boasting a 33-year pedigree, Health Mate is the industry’s oldest and finest infrared sauna brand, recommended by doctors and health practitioners all over the world.
Every pool and spa professional is being urged to take a few minutes to share their views in the second annual State of the Wet Leisure Industry survey.
They say success breeds success but for spa retailing couple Peter and Rachel Grinnall, of Midlands-based Complete Spas, it seems the harder they work, the luckier they get! The entrepreneurial pair first thought of opening their own spa retail business five years ago. “Rachel and I went out on a sunny afternoon with £5k in our back pocket with the hope of buying a ‘proper’ hot tub as we had a spa in a box for three years and loved it,” recalls Peter.
One-piece pools are becoming increasingly popular across India, in both commercial and residential projects. With hotels, townships, and private homes sprouting up across the subcontinent, coupled with the rise of India’s middle class; the market potential for ready-made pools is set to soar. Ready-made pools are not only cheaper than traditional pools but require significantly less time to install.
More than two years in development and testing, Darlly has unveiled what it confidently announces is the most advanced spa filter cartridge ever available.
Delaying the need to invest in expensive shops and showrooms, the hot tub hire market has been providing a useful first stepping stone for would-be spa retailers for many years. Now, more established water leisure businesses, looking to diversify in order to bring in much sought-after cash flow, are dipping their toe into the hot tub hire market. “More spa dealers are looking at the potential of the hire market to increase not just their cash-flow but their prospect lists,” confirms Chris Alcock of Interhiva UK.
There’s almost nothing more relaxing than enjoying a luxurious dip in a hot tub, except perhaps taking a slow cruise down a beautiful river. Now you can combine them both with a cruise in an ingeniously designed hybrid hot tub boat. The Hot Tug is powered by steam, generated from a woodburning stove to heat the water and a propeller engine to keep you sailing downstream. The boat contains up to 2,000 litres of water and comes with either an integrated electric motor or an outboard model. The wood stove in the bow of the boat heats the water in about 2.5 hours up to 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees F.) just by making a little fire with normal logs. Available to rent or buy, the Hot Tug is made from wood and fitted with glass-fibre reinforced polyester, measuring 240cm by 380cm by 110 cm.
A leading American politician is proposing a ban on the use of hot tubs and spas by children at hotels, health clubs, resorts, and other commercial establishments. The leader of the New Jersey Senate, Steve Sweeney, says the ban would apply to anyone under the age of 17. He has decided to sponsor legislation after talking to cardiologists who told him the water temperature in hot tubs is a heath risk for younger people. “Hot tubs normally run at 105 degrees and it’s just bad for children.
