Guys, just happened onto this forum and it seems there are some very sharp cookies aboard. Now, I want start a non-traditional family entertainment biz in the country... I have no particular locale at the moment, but I am open. So what's different with my concept... I want a place that can offer beyond the routine: pub, nyama choma, etc. my focus is more an all round thing... for both the pinters and the lucozade-crew.. as well the milk brigade. I am thinking sthg along the lines of... a variety of indoor and outdoor activities. Target is the middle-class, but a scenic location abt 5 acres of land would suffice. Is this thing viable in KE? From what I have seen is beyond the various malls in Nbi and the beach hotels in Msa what's on offer is either focused on one aspect (either the outdoor with out the indoor and vice versa). Is this viable?

Budget-wise, I want to start small and then grow... Target-audience... families, but also young folks, teenagers, college students... but no wild crowds.

Peace folks

This sounds like it can excite people... but you need to consider that the pinters and the "family" do not go together if we follow mututho laws.... you cant take kids where alcohol is sold.

Now, depending on your budget, 5 acres near nairobi is hard to find and it is dear. Our organisation was looking for some piece of land around and the ones we could find were going over 100m and it wasnt even a full acre!. you have to go to the outcasts of the city and even then, you need a good amount to purchase that land. for example, an acre in a place like kitengela is going from 8m depending on the location.... see what i mean? If you go interior, you have to really market and make it worth the visit for the families... lots of marketing and the like. But its a great concept.... All you need is connections with the local tour operators targeting locals and organisations (team building/trainers and teh likes) who can help you sell it to their contacts (you will be surprised how many people they know) and also encourage them to spread wide. Internet marketing is doing well these days.

There's a time a couple of friends and i had also considered an idea along the same lines. At the time, we were thinking along the lines of an inline-skate park, both indoor and outdoors sections for the kids/teenagers. And a non-alcoholic lounge (on the very opposite end) for the parents.

I agree with Wendz - family and booze don't mix. Consider land on the outskirts of the city.

My two cents?...it's a great idea and the timing is good. However, Narrow down your target market (i would go with the family crowd) and go after it ruthlessly. This will also help you narrow down on the product/service to provide.

Thx wairegi! I will check it out if I happen to be in that area code. Any otherwhile KE links are most welcome. Big up guys.