Children's sports provision franchise Sports Xtra has stated that this is the perfect time to join the franchise. According to the company traditionally child-care and leisure providers see a surge in demand during economic downturns.

Gareth Lippiatt, Managing Director of Sports Xtra, said: 'Of course we had a concern as to how business could be affected in the tough economic climate. However, many of the franchise owners' clients provide essential public sector services and therefore a large proportion of their turnover has remained consistent. A lot of parents also use our services as child-care provision and since people inevitably need to work more in an economic downturn our members are actually up on projections. So while we empathise with the many businesses who are finding it tough, the recession has actually worked in our favour and it's turned out to be the perfect time to launch the franchise opportunity.'

One of the initial franchise owners has reached a turnover of almost £100,000 over the last eight months and has already taken on a second territory. Interest in the opportunity has grown consistently since it first advertised the franchise in the December issue of The Franchise Magazine, with the three most recent franchise owners attending their head office training at the end of May. Sports Xtra currently has a total number of 14 territories franchised.

Gareth added: 'Sports Xtra is a management franchise which is perfect for anyone who is passionate about sports. There is no need for any experience in the sports and fitness industry and the calibre of candidates we have met has been exceptional. The last three franchise owners we trained included a banker from the city, an IT consultant, and a financial products salesman - so we have had a complete cross section!

'With children's physical activity and obesity also high on the media and political agenda at the moment this is really a case of a well developed concept in the right place at the right time. We have worked with one of the high street banks to provide a fantastic funding package for franchise owners and I've also increased my team at head office to support the network growth so we're expecting 2009 to continue to be a great year for a new franchise launch.'

Published: 23 June 2009

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