Bounce Station

Irvine based, BounceStation, successfully received a loan from Business Loans Scotland to launch Ayrshire’s first and only inflatable activity park.

With a passion for launching a leisure facility of its kind in the local area, Director of BounceStation, Eileen Bowden, set out to transform an old derelict warehouse into a fantastic family friendly inflatable activity park that would offer a fun way to exercise for people of all ages.

Receiving a £50,000 loan from Business Loans Scotland, Eileen was able to secure the funds needed to purchase all the equipment required to kit out the premises ready for opening to the public. But, as the Coronavirus pandemic hit, Eileen’s plans were quickly put on hold and what was initially envisioned to be a 6 month turnaround period before the business could launch, turned into 15 months before BounceStation could finally open its doors.

Now successfully up and running, BounceStation offers a fun way to exercise for both children and adults and boasts a large range of activities including a climbing wall, ninja run, drop slides, assault course, penalty shoot-out, soft play and more.

Supporting small and medium sized businesses across Scotland with loans to start-up or grow, Business Loans Scotland (BLS) offer loans from £25,000 to £250,000 to ensure that commercially viable proposals do not fail from a lack of access to finance.

Fully funded by The Scottish Government through the Scottish Growth Scheme, BLS has issued loans to 113 businesses across Scotland to date totalling in excess of £8.1 million. 

Speaking of the loan issued, Director of the family run business BounceStation, Eileen Bowden, said:

“Thanks to the help of Business Loans Scotland we were able to bring back to life a derelict warehouse in Irvine to create a fun new leisure business for local families.

During our business planning and production the Coronavirus Pandemic hit and created a 15 month implementation instead of our 6 month allowance. During this period Business Loans Scotland recognised the issues all new ventures were having and continued to regularly check our progress and extended our period of drawdown until we had all our ducks in a row.”

Adding how the launch of the business has helped employment and businesses within the local area, Eileen said:

“With their help, we have created and exciting indoor inflatable park with café and tots facilities which has generated 32 new jobs including a team of 17 North Ayrshire Kick Starters. Keeping the pound local we have also forged a strong relationship with local suppliers and charitable organisations and helped improve the local economy.

During our first 2 months of opening we have hosted over 15,000 customers and look forward to many more.  Something we could not have achieved without help from Mark McClymont and team at BLS.”

Speaking of the loan issued to BounceStation, Andrew Dickson, Fund Manager of Business Loans Scotland added:

“Throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, we have witnessed many businesses having to pause their start or expansion plans due to a lack of finance. I am delighted that we have been able to support Eileen and the team at BounceStation with the loan required to turn their ambitions of launching Ayrshire’s first and only inflatable activity park into a reality.

It’s fantastic to see so many new jobs being created and that the business is flourishing since opening its doors. I wish Eileen and all the team at BounceStation continued success for the future.”