0:00:02 > 0:00:05'These are tough times for Northern Ireland's small farms and rural businesses.'
0:00:05 > 0:00:07Am I talking to an accountant that's gone all soft?
0:00:07 > 0:00:08'I'm Nick Hewer,
0:00:08 > 0:00:11'and once again I'm returning to my Northern Irish roots...'
0:00:11 > 0:00:13It's my country, what are you doing here?
0:00:13 > 0:00:16I'm from Nebraska, I've never heard of Ballyclare.
0:00:16 > 0:00:20'..to help these small farms and rural businesses diversify.'
0:00:20 > 0:00:23- You're not supposed to cross your feet.- Oh, Spider-Man.
0:00:23 > 0:00:26I may not be an expert in their line of business,
0:00:26 > 0:00:29but I've been knocking around with some of Britain's biggest
0:00:29 > 0:00:33money-makers, and they've given me a nose for profit.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35A couple of pounds matters nothing.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38You don't understand the value of what you've actually got to sell.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40'There needs to be a reality check...'
0:00:40 > 0:00:42You deal with the horse.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45Shoot the horse yourself.
0:00:45 > 0:00:46..that's where I come in.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59I'm off to Breckenhill to meet Henrietta and David Reade.
0:00:59 > 0:01:03They run weddings, outdoor pursuits, and shortly they're going
0:01:03 > 0:01:07into business with neighbour Sam, who runs Tildarg Fisheries.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11'Breckenhill and Tildarg are on the outskirts of Ballyclare,
0:01:11 > 0:01:16'a small County Antrim town just 13 miles outside Belfast.'
0:01:17 > 0:01:19Breckenhill the business started
0:01:19 > 0:01:22about seven years ago when we did up our barn,
0:01:22 > 0:01:25and we decided we were going to do conferences,
0:01:25 > 0:01:27team building, outdoor activities.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30With the recession, we have found that the outdoor activity business
0:01:30 > 0:01:32has been quite quiet.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34And so, from a financial point of view,
0:01:34 > 0:01:35we need to increase the turnover.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37If Breckenhill is to survive,
0:01:37 > 0:01:40they need to find another source of revenue,
0:01:40 > 0:01:43so the Reades are hoping to swell their income by adding
0:01:43 > 0:01:46kayaking and canoeing to the list of attractions.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48On a fishing lake?
0:01:48 > 0:01:51Won't that just muddy the waters?
0:01:51 > 0:01:54The fishing lease is up for renewal in April,
0:01:54 > 0:01:58so clarity and speedy agreement on a business plan are crucial.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01I've got a lot of questions for David and Henrietta.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04Who exactly is their target market? Have they assessed it?
0:02:04 > 0:02:06Have they found out? Have they thought about it?
0:02:06 > 0:02:09And exactly what is this Breckenhill, anyway?
0:02:16 > 0:02:19'I meet the jolly couple outside their nuptial barn.'
0:02:19 > 0:02:20Hello.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23- What a windy old day. - A miserable day.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25- Henrietta? - Yes.- I'm Nick, how are you?
0:02:25 > 0:02:27- Nice to meet you. - I'm David, nice to meet you.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30- So, here we are. Breckenhill. - Yes, our barn.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33Brilliant. This is the barn? What happens in here?
0:02:33 > 0:02:34Well, we have a big room upstairs
0:02:34 > 0:02:36where we have wedding functions,
0:02:36 > 0:02:38- parties, conferences, meetings... - Right.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41And there's space downstairs for receptions.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43- But mainly weddings, yes? - Mainly weddings, yes.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45We've got 16 booked for this year.
0:02:45 > 0:02:47- Have you?- We're hoping for more. - That's not so bad.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50Yeah, it's not bad, it was about seven last year.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52- Double last year, yes.- Really? And it's a profitable business now?
0:02:52 > 0:02:55- Yes, starting to be, yes. - Starting?- Yeah.
0:02:55 > 0:02:56And what about accommodation?
0:02:56 > 0:02:59You can put people up in the house, you have a big house there.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02- No, we have no overnight accommodation.- Where do they go then?
0:03:02 > 0:03:04There's a place that's just been done up down the road
0:03:04 > 0:03:06and they have four self-catering cottages,
0:03:06 > 0:03:08- and we're working with them. - All right.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11So, weddings, conferences, dinners, parties...
0:03:11 > 0:03:14And then, what's this all about, over here?
0:03:14 > 0:03:17The first part is a log shed and the other side is a barn,
0:03:17 > 0:03:19but we're doing indoor archery in there
0:03:19 > 0:03:23and we're trying to develop it as an indoor space for activities.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26Indoor archery, because of course this is outdoor pursuits,
0:03:26 > 0:03:29but when it's raining you bring the archery inside.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31We've had a number of archery sessions during December
0:03:31 > 0:03:34and January, and we can actually heat the barn, so...
0:03:34 > 0:03:37- Cos you couldn't do it outside, you'd freeze.- Brilliant.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39Let's go and see what else is on offer.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42Well, we do outdoor activities in the paddock.
0:03:43 > 0:03:45'In pursuit of all the facts,
0:03:45 > 0:03:47'I venture round the outdoor attractions.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50'Perhaps sunshine might broaden their appeal?'
0:03:51 > 0:03:52What happens here, Henrietta?
0:03:52 > 0:03:55We have the netting and posts set up for the Earth ball.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58It's about five feet in diameter,
0:03:58 > 0:04:00and they play games with it in here.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02The netting is there to stop it blowing away.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04And what else have we got in here then?
0:04:04 > 0:04:07We have giant catapults and we use them. They love them.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09And what are you propelling?
0:04:09 > 0:04:11A tennis ball, and then they catch them.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13They can fire water bombs, but it's really dangerous.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16'I can't say I'm overly impressed with what I see here.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18'What are people prepared to pay for this?'
0:04:18 > 0:04:21Catering included, £25-£30 a head.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24- OK, and you do the catering? - I do that catering.- All right.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28So we've got weddings, accommodation down the road, yes?
0:04:28 > 0:04:30Outdoor pursuits,
0:04:30 > 0:04:33we've got our archery indoors when it's particularly cold,
0:04:33 > 0:04:35- but you're about to go into a new venture?- Yeah.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38Water sports. You've got a lake somewhere.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42'On the pathway to profit and Tildarg Fishery,
0:04:42 > 0:04:44'I wonder whether its tenant, Sam Henderson,
0:04:44 > 0:04:49'has raised any objections to the Reades' revolutionary plans.'
0:04:50 > 0:04:52So we've got fishermen at one end, is this the idea?
0:04:52 > 0:04:55- Kayaking at the other. - Potentially, yes.
0:04:55 > 0:04:56On family days, yes.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59- I guess it's big enough, isn't it? - Yeah, that's the theory.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01And Sam seems to think that'll work.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04Well, again, it's this sort of communal thing.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07- You were talking earlier about accommodation.- Yeah.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10Now we've got the fishery, they're coming in.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14So suddenly we're getting a group of businesses, I guess,
0:05:14 > 0:05:18- that are feeding off each other and feeding each other.- Absolutely.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20- That's no bad thing, is it? - I think it's a real strength.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23Maybe you should have a communal sort of, you know, name.
0:05:23 > 0:05:28'One business, one brand identity - that always works for me.'
0:05:30 > 0:05:35Tildarg Fishery is set on a 17-acre lake adjacent to Breckenhill
0:05:35 > 0:05:37with its own fisherman's hut, kitchen, toilets
0:05:37 > 0:05:39and a small tackle shop.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43Sam Henderson's been the sole leaseholder for the last ten years
0:05:43 > 0:05:45but, only working part-time,
0:05:45 > 0:05:47he's struggling to keep the business afloat.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52Sam, how are you? Here we are at Tildarg.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55We've got our lone fisherman out there. It's a cold old day.
0:05:55 > 0:05:56Normally you'd have how many people in it?
0:05:56 > 0:06:00On a good day we should have about 10-12 fishermen per day.
0:06:00 > 0:06:01Paying how much?
0:06:01 > 0:06:03Maybe one fish ticket and a boat
0:06:03 > 0:06:06- would set them back about £20 for the day's fishing.- All right.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09But there is a cost to running this sort of place, too -
0:06:09 > 0:06:11apart from, you know, the rates and all the other things -
0:06:11 > 0:06:13and that is that, every now and again,
0:06:13 > 0:06:17if people have been actually buying one or two fish tickets,
0:06:17 > 0:06:20- you have to buy in extra stock. - Every week, yes.
0:06:20 > 0:06:21And how much could that weekly bill be?
0:06:21 > 0:06:24That weekly bill could be over £400 per week.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27But times are changing, Sam.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29You know, you're under pressure like everybody else, I guess,
0:06:29 > 0:06:32so you're going to go into business with Breckenhill?
0:06:32 > 0:06:36Yes, in a view to putting in kayaks on this upper part of the lake.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38How will they welcome kids splashing around
0:06:38 > 0:06:40and falling in and out of kayaks?
0:06:40 > 0:06:43Well, this is a good question.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46'A good question indeed, Sam, that needs an answer,
0:06:46 > 0:06:51'so I'm sending international angler Campbell Baird to test the waters,
0:06:51 > 0:06:54'while I explore the Reades' land-based offerings
0:06:54 > 0:06:57'with tourism activity expert Chris Scott.'
0:06:58 > 0:07:01INSTRUCTOR: All happy? Remember, no peeking or cheating!
0:07:02 > 0:07:03Remember the rules!
0:07:06 > 0:07:07Easier said than done.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13Chris, there isn't an outdoor activity centre in the province
0:07:13 > 0:07:16that you don't know about, and you spent a long time here today.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18It's not working - I know that, you know that.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20It's just a bit flat, I suppose, Nick.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23The enthusiasm of instructors here is absolutely fantastic,
0:07:23 > 0:07:25really keen, really lift the group.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28But the activities are just a little bit dated, I suppose, you know?
0:07:28 > 0:07:30A lot of centres have moved forward,
0:07:30 > 0:07:32and Breckenhill has kind of stayed where it was.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37Keep up with the times. You've got the barn across the yard,
0:07:37 > 0:07:38and even at the gable end of that barn
0:07:38 > 0:07:41you've got probably about seven metres in height.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43I think you could put a really nice climbing wall in there.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46Climbing gets the heart going, the excitement going,
0:07:46 > 0:07:49that sense of achievement you take home and tell other people about.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52You won't to go home and say, "I made a square with a rope today,"
0:07:52 > 0:07:53you'll say, "I climbed to the top of a..."
0:07:53 > 0:07:56You might, but you wouldn't get a round of applause for it!
0:07:56 > 0:07:58'Are any other activities on target?'
0:07:58 > 0:08:01The archery demonstrated that they had invested
0:08:01 > 0:08:04not only in the targets but in the arrows and the bows themselves.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06And, of course, there's room for tuition.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09Gone are the days when someone will come and do two hours of archery.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11That would have happened in the '80s and '90s.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13Now they want to come and do 45 minutes of archery, max,
0:08:13 > 0:08:15move on, do an hour of canoeing, max.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18Cos that's fun, that's energetic, something different,
0:08:18 > 0:08:20and the flat water lake here offers a great asset for that.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24I'm tempted to think that maybe they should take two from the top
0:08:24 > 0:08:26and three from the bottom, what do you think?
0:08:26 > 0:08:30'With time up on the outdoor pursuit activities,
0:08:30 > 0:08:32'I need to address the kayak conundrum.'
0:08:34 > 0:08:37- So, how's the fishing today? - Fishing's good today.- Yeah?
0:08:37 > 0:08:39Yeah, I had four lovely fish this morning,
0:08:39 > 0:08:43the biggest fish about 3½ lbs, so they were good, healthy fish.
0:08:43 > 0:08:44You're an international angler,
0:08:44 > 0:08:47you've represented Ireland, you've fished around the world.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50Best places - how does Tildarg measure up?
0:08:50 > 0:08:52It has the potential of being
0:08:52 > 0:08:54one of the best fisheries in Northern Ireland.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57It's probably one of the longest-standing fisheries,
0:08:57 > 0:08:59in and around 25 years.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02Always had a reputation of having big fish in it.
0:09:02 > 0:09:03But?
0:09:03 > 0:09:05Back then, there were only five or six fisheries.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08Now there are 45 or 46.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10Let us talk kayaks,
0:09:10 > 0:09:14because I get the impression that fishermen can be quite tetchy.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17And if things aren't going well they'll be striding in here to Sam
0:09:17 > 0:09:19and saying, "What's going on?
0:09:19 > 0:09:22"Is this a fishing lake or some aquadrome?"
0:09:22 > 0:09:27Because kayaks will be splashing around in this area.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29Is that going to distress, infuriate,
0:09:29 > 0:09:32frustrate and anger the fishermen?
0:09:32 > 0:09:34I don't know. It's a strange one.
0:09:34 > 0:09:39There are some lakes that do have kayaking and fishing.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42I think the important thing is to get the anglers back first of all.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45It needs to be run as a business, as a fishing business,
0:09:45 > 0:09:49by an angler who's, you know, passionate about the sport
0:09:49 > 0:09:51and is prepared to actually go that extra mile
0:09:51 > 0:09:53to get the place back to its former glory.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56So we bring it back to its former glory, then - bang! -
0:09:56 > 0:10:00the kayaking brigade arrive. Is that a risk?
0:10:00 > 0:10:02I think it could be a very big risk.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05'It's not a risk I'd be taking at this stage.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10'Small budget weddings aren't really my bag, so I decide to
0:10:10 > 0:10:13'focus on outdoor pursuits and those problematic kayaks.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17'I have a big idea up my sleeve but, first,
0:10:17 > 0:10:21'I need to address the Reades' dated offerings.'
0:10:21 > 0:10:24The games are not up to scratch.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27I mean, one idea that Chris came up with is in the other barn,
0:10:27 > 0:10:30not the wedding barn or the conference barn,
0:10:30 > 0:10:34but the other one, which has got huge end walls, 7m high. He said,
0:10:34 > 0:10:39"This is perfect for a climbing wall." Nothing madly expensive.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43And he said, "Youngsters love it." Now, your arrangement with Sam,
0:10:43 > 0:10:46now, there is a great extension for your outdoor pursuits.
0:10:46 > 0:10:50It's another playground, frankly.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52I spoke to Campbell about your idea,
0:10:52 > 0:10:55to rope off a third for kayaking, and this is interesting,
0:10:55 > 0:10:58actually, because there is a place where they've done it very
0:10:58 > 0:11:01successfully, and I think it would be very worthwhile
0:11:01 > 0:11:03if the three of you took yourselves off,
0:11:03 > 0:11:07to actually go to such a place where there are watersports, if
0:11:07 > 0:11:11we can call them that, and fishing, sitting side-by-side, cheek-by-jowl.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13- Yeah.- Yeah?
0:11:13 > 0:11:18'Now that I have their attention, time to reveal my master plan.'
0:11:18 > 0:11:22So, why don't we create something,
0:11:22 > 0:11:24let's call it The Breckenhill Experience,
0:11:24 > 0:11:26and let's put under that umbrella things that have nothing
0:11:26 > 0:11:30to do with us, but that are in Breckenhill or nearby,
0:11:30 > 0:11:36and that together can provide a sort of recreational weekend,
0:11:36 > 0:11:39or day, or whatever it is, it can all be Breckenhill,
0:11:39 > 0:11:42and all together, this place becomes a destination,
0:11:42 > 0:11:44a leisure destination.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46That's an idea I haven't actually thought of,
0:11:46 > 0:11:48that's much better, yes. Very good idea.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51When I come back in April, wouldn't it be fun to have a test day?
0:11:51 > 0:11:53Sam will organise a fishing competition,
0:11:53 > 0:11:56and we'll have kayaking the same day,
0:11:56 > 0:12:00and we'll have the new games in, God willing, and we'll fill the place.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02So, let's focus on The Breckenhill Experience.
0:12:02 > 0:12:07'So, two men, one woman, some boats and a business cluster under
0:12:07 > 0:12:11'the Breckenhill umbrella could see profits rise.'
0:12:11 > 0:12:14Nick's idea of the umbrella for Breckenhill, I think,
0:12:14 > 0:12:16is very acceptable.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18I'm not sure about the name, The Breckenhill Experience,
0:12:18 > 0:12:21I think we need to just think about that.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23But I absolutely think the whole idea is a good one.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27With the Breckenhill umbrella still to be branded,
0:12:27 > 0:12:30I've sent the trio to Rathbeggan Lakes in County Meath,
0:12:30 > 0:12:34where fishing flourishes with zip wires and paddle boats.
0:12:34 > 0:12:39- How does Dave Robinson appease the anglers?- I've had resistance.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42You know, people were saying, "Paddle boats in a fishing area,"
0:12:42 > 0:12:45and I'd look them straight in the eye and say, "Look, it's like this.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47"If we didn't have those paddle boats here today,
0:12:47 > 0:12:50"we wouldn't be able to be open for you, the rest of the year."
0:12:50 > 0:12:54So, you're using your different businesses to balance up what
0:12:54 > 0:12:57keeps you going and what sustains your viability as a business.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59It's a considerable investment - there is
0:12:59 > 0:13:04everything from a heritage trail to that ideal climbing wall.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07So, if you can create something that attracts an entire family
0:13:07 > 0:13:10and offer enough activities that the family can all get enjoyment of,
0:13:10 > 0:13:13right from a granny to a two-and-a-half, three-year-old,
0:13:13 > 0:13:15you've got it cracked.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18Two months after the Rathbeggan visit,
0:13:18 > 0:13:22I'm hoping to see some cracking investment at Breckenhill,
0:13:22 > 0:13:25and the new business venture agreed and active.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28Joint business ventures are never easy,
0:13:28 > 0:13:33and today I'm off to Breckenhill to talk to the Reades and Sam.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36They are hoping that they can combine on Tildarg Lake
0:13:36 > 0:13:39both fishing and boating activities.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42Today, it's test day, to see
0:13:42 > 0:13:46whether both activities can work in harmony.
0:13:55 > 0:14:00So, it's all systems go, then. You and Sam are as one? Lease signed?
0:14:00 > 0:14:03- Lease isn't signed, no.- It's not terminal, is it, just technical?
0:14:03 > 0:14:05- Slow lawyers?- Just slowness.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09I seem to recall that there was a plan to update some of the games.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11- We've built a traversing wall. - On that end wall?
0:14:11 > 0:14:14No, this is the outdoor one, the traversing wall,
0:14:14 > 0:14:17not the climbing wall. That's still quite a long way down the road.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19But the traversing wall is up and running
0:14:19 > 0:14:20and was commissioned last week.
0:14:20 > 0:14:26- Pleased?- Oh, yes.- Shall we go and have a look?- Yup.- OK.- Excellent.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29'So, a climbing wall on the barn postponed
0:14:29 > 0:14:35'and a lease still unsigned. It's testing, this test day.'
0:14:35 > 0:14:38Oh, no, you mustn't do that! That's bad technique.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41You're not supposed to cross your feet.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44- You're supposed to climb like this. - Oh, Spider-Man?
0:14:44 > 0:14:47Oh, it's not as difficult as it looks!
0:14:47 > 0:14:50Well, we'll have to start limiting you to one colour.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52No, easy on, I'm 70 years old!
0:14:52 > 0:14:53Are you not allowed to do that?
0:14:53 > 0:14:55Not really supposed to, but you're doing fine.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58- As an old-age pensioner. - You're doing better than fine.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02- Actually, it's quite fun! It's quite fun, isn't it?- It is.
0:15:02 > 0:15:07- So, what would that cost?- Total cost was about £1,200, I suppose.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09Well, it's not for nothing, is it?
0:15:10 > 0:15:12Now what?
0:15:15 > 0:15:18On Tildarg Lake, the canoes and kayaks are on trial.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21Would the Reades have to build bridges over troubled waters,
0:15:21 > 0:15:24or would the anglers be happy?
0:15:24 > 0:15:27It's dangerous sometimes, maybe fly casting, you know, you could catch somebody.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30Other than that, I don't really see a big problem, you know?
0:15:30 > 0:15:34As long as you're not chasing up and down between boats.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37I mean, if there was guys on jet skis and you're trying to fish
0:15:37 > 0:15:40through them, and guys on cruisers, it's part of fishing.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44But, no, they've had no effect on the fishing whatsoever.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46'A great day's catch, then?'
0:15:46 > 0:15:48How's the fishing?
0:15:48 > 0:15:52- Not very successful, I'm afraid. Not yet, anyway.- Why not?- Lack of skill.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55- Lack of skill, probably!- Some of the guys are good at fishing.
0:15:55 > 0:15:59- How did you get on?- Nothing! - Nothing?
0:15:59 > 0:16:00Not a single pull so far,
0:16:00 > 0:16:03but you have to be optimistic to be an angler.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08So, what have we got here today? Fishermen and canoeists.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10- And they are all getting on very happily together.- Yes.
0:16:10 > 0:16:15- Are you pleased about that?- Very, very pleased.- No angry shouting yet? - No angry shouting.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18- And how is the business relationship going with the Reades?- Doing well.
0:16:18 > 0:16:19Haven't signed the lease yet, I think
0:16:19 > 0:16:23- there are some technical issues. - Just a couple of issues.
0:16:23 > 0:16:29'Come on, David! Sort those issues fast, or the business plan is sunk.'
0:16:29 > 0:16:30Look behind me, and what do you see?
0:16:30 > 0:16:32A group of fishermen, fishing for charity,
0:16:32 > 0:16:35most of the revenue going to the charity, Sam gets a bit.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39And a group of schoolchildren who are here on a free day out.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42Everybody is having a lovely time, everybody is pals,
0:16:42 > 0:16:45it's all jolly, but it's only when the lease is signed,
0:16:45 > 0:16:50and the sooner the better, it's only then that the energy
0:16:50 > 0:16:53and the urgency to make money kicks in.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02But in the meantime, to keep their business buoyant,
0:17:02 > 0:17:04they continue to flog wedded bliss.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12But a month later the ink is still not dry on their agreement.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15As yet, the lease on the fishery has not been signed.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18It seems to be a bureaucratic process
0:17:18 > 0:17:20and I'm hoping it will get resolved, but at the moment
0:17:20 > 0:17:24what is on the table is a lease for fishing only,
0:17:24 > 0:17:28but there is no way that is a viable proposition.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30No kayaks? So, where does that leave us?
0:17:30 > 0:17:34The very worst case scenario is that there's a padlock on the gates
0:17:34 > 0:17:36and the fishery ceases trading.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38But, staying positive,
0:17:38 > 0:17:41David and Henrietta have embraced my cluster idea
0:17:41 > 0:17:46and have trawled the community for like-minded businesses.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49Certainly, the cluster people are all very keen,
0:17:49 > 0:17:52we've got some more suggestions for more people to add to it,
0:17:52 > 0:17:55and we're hopefully having a meeting soon.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01I guess today's a big day for Breckenhill, for The Breckenhill Experience,
0:18:01 > 0:18:05because you've been working hard, gathering like-minded
0:18:05 > 0:18:08businesses into a cluster, and the cluster arrives today.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11- It's the muster of the cluster! - It is.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13'This virgin enterprise has businesses
0:18:13 > 0:18:16'ranging from facials to football,
0:18:16 > 0:18:19'horses to horticulture,
0:18:19 > 0:18:21'golfing to go-karting.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23'And to muster this keen cluster
0:18:23 > 0:18:28'I've invited along regeneration and tourism specialist Sharon Scott.'
0:18:28 > 0:18:31You're coming into something that is very new in Northern Ireland,
0:18:31 > 0:18:34it's called experiential tourism.
0:18:34 > 0:18:40It's about creating an experience, a very unique, distinctive experience.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43So, what would make someone want to come here, as opposed to
0:18:43 > 0:18:46Fermanagh or the Lakelands, or up at the Causeway Coast?
0:18:46 > 0:18:49All those other places that really are competition for you.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53- Why would they want to come here? - I think if they knew about it more,
0:18:53 > 0:18:56they would realise that it's there, part of the problem at the moment
0:18:56 > 0:18:59is that I don't think they know well enough what's available.
0:18:59 > 0:19:04- You think you've got a hidden gem? - I think so, with all of us, yeah.- OK.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07Sharon, would it be fair to say that almost before everything else
0:19:07 > 0:19:09- you've got to get a brand, something to market?- Yeah.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12This is all about place marketing.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15This is about marketing your place, where you all live.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17It's very hard to get away from Ballyclare-something,
0:19:17 > 0:19:20because the problem is, people are going to Google an area,
0:19:20 > 0:19:23and if we come up with some wacky new name, it would
0:19:23 > 0:19:25take for ever to get it established.
0:19:25 > 0:19:30'Wacky? I thought I suggested The Breckenhill Experience!'
0:19:30 > 0:19:33Northern Ireland has been divided into nine tourism areas,
0:19:33 > 0:19:35or destinations.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39You, in this area, will fall under Belfast, that's your market,
0:19:39 > 0:19:40in terms of what I'm seeing.
0:19:40 > 0:19:45Belfast might be just exactly the right hook. Belfast rural.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47Belfast is the honeypot, absolutely,
0:19:47 > 0:19:50it's where all visitors are going, that's where the money,
0:19:50 > 0:19:54the marketing is coming, it's aimed at Belfast
0:19:54 > 0:19:57and then fanning them out across Northern Ireland.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01'Targeting, marketing, website building, packaging,
0:20:01 > 0:20:04'branding - that's a lot for the cluster group to ponder.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06'But are there any downsides to Breckenhill?'
0:20:06 > 0:20:10It's a beautiful location we're in today, but it is remote.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12Albeit it's very close to Belfast,
0:20:12 > 0:20:15but in terms of the visitor perception, they could never
0:20:15 > 0:20:19find here in a million years if they were left to their own devices.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22That's why branding is crucial, so it's time to point
0:20:22 > 0:20:24the Reades and Sam in the right direction.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28I'm now certain that Belfast is key to brand identity.
0:20:28 > 0:20:33The first thing is to create something concrete. It's a brand.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36Something that you could actually work with, that you can market.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40The best suggestion that came up was Ballyclare Country Club. Now, I know...
0:20:40 > 0:20:44Ballyclare, that's not where the future lies, it's Belfast.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46Belfast. Who knows about Ballyclare?
0:20:46 > 0:20:50- I'm from Nebraska, I've never heard of Ballyclare.- Yeah.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52I think you've really got to go for Belfast.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55First of all, everybody's heard of it, and then,
0:20:55 > 0:20:57Belfast, it's a city. Belfast what?
0:20:57 > 0:20:59Belfast Garden? Belfast Rural?
0:20:59 > 0:21:02Belfast Adventure Garden?
0:21:02 > 0:21:05Belfast's Adventure Garden, something like that.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07Because, sure as eggs are eggs,
0:21:07 > 0:21:09Belfast will be at the top of the internet,
0:21:09 > 0:21:13- and then you climb up after it. - Yeah.- Do you know?- Yeah.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16When I come back in August, let's promise ourselves a big open day,
0:21:16 > 0:21:20and there are stalls, or whatever you like,
0:21:20 > 0:21:22for each member of the group.
0:21:22 > 0:21:27And lots of people. Family groups, kids, I don't care.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29I want them pumping through that gate,
0:21:29 > 0:21:32dropping money into a satchel on their way in
0:21:32 > 0:21:35- and leaving with a big smile on their face.- Yeah.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39'So that's cash for the cluster and a brand identity for the group,
0:21:39 > 0:21:41'with Belfast at its focus.'
0:21:42 > 0:21:45And it's Breckenhill, not Brackenhill, as well, sorry.
0:21:45 > 0:21:46'Finally!
0:21:46 > 0:21:49'While I'm back in London, their lease is signed.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52'Unleash those kayaks!'
0:21:52 > 0:21:54The three of us have jointly signed
0:21:54 > 0:21:59the lease on the Tildarg Fishery for fishing for five years.
0:21:59 > 0:22:00'What?!'
0:22:00 > 0:22:01Do I just sign here?
0:22:01 > 0:22:04We signed the lease in good faith on the basis that
0:22:04 > 0:22:07discussions about other activities like kayaking will be
0:22:07 > 0:22:10considered fairly and, hopefully, we can reach agreement
0:22:10 > 0:22:14on the ability to do those things later.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23Today is D-day for Breckenhill and Tildarg Fishery.
0:22:23 > 0:22:28I challenged David and Henrietta to hold a big, fun family day
0:22:28 > 0:22:32with all of their activities, including kayaking and canoeing.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34And I've picked up a leaflet, and what's missing?
0:22:34 > 0:22:36Kayaking and canoeing.
0:22:36 > 0:22:40Why? Because they've signed a fishing-only lease.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42What on earth were they thinking about?
0:22:44 > 0:22:48'Down by the lake I get the low-down from David and Henrietta.'
0:22:48 > 0:22:52Progress has been slow on the discussions about other activities,
0:22:52 > 0:22:56and we had to make a decision to take the lease on the fishery.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00The option of not taking it would have left things open,
0:23:00 > 0:23:03and they are reviewing our proposals.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05The sad thing is that, during the beautiful, hot,
0:23:05 > 0:23:08sunny weather we had, there weren't any fishermen
0:23:08 > 0:23:11because it was too bright, and we could have had people out kayaking.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14'Perhaps next summer, discussions permitting!
0:23:14 > 0:23:18'I'm hoping that the open day has a more buoyant outcome.
0:23:18 > 0:23:19'There are Breckenhill burgers on the go
0:23:19 > 0:23:22'and there's an unstoppable local mayor, Fraser Agnew,
0:23:22 > 0:23:24'to get things going.'
0:23:24 > 0:23:27- Are you all enjoying yourselves? - CHILDREN: Yes!
0:23:27 > 0:23:30I think they're enjoying themselves!
0:23:30 > 0:23:32Time to launch the cluster group.
0:23:32 > 0:23:36I'm hoping for Belfast Adventure Garden.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38It represents a group of nine businesses,
0:23:38 > 0:23:41and there's five of us here represented,
0:23:41 > 0:23:43with Jamie and Stacey from Dunamoy Cottages,
0:23:43 > 0:23:44Linda from Laurel View,
0:23:44 > 0:23:48ourselves from Breckenhill, Sam Henderson from the fishery
0:23:48 > 0:23:50and Martin from Need For Speed.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52And we're very pleased today that we have a website,
0:23:52 > 0:23:56Ballyclareactivitytrail.com, up and running.
0:23:56 > 0:24:00'No Breckenhill, no Belfast, not quite the branding I had in mind,
0:24:00 > 0:24:02'but at least the group is under way.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06'Official ceremonies over,
0:24:06 > 0:24:11'I join the family funsters to pursue the Breckenhill experience.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14'The Reades are charging £5 entry per adult
0:24:14 > 0:24:18'and £3 per child over five, including one free activity.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22'These activities range from £1 for the giant catapult
0:24:22 > 0:24:25'to £3 for the most expensive, the archery.'
0:24:27 > 0:24:30- Where's that?- On the gold.- Gold?! In the middle!- Yes.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33You're tucked out of the way a bit, aren't you?
0:24:33 > 0:24:35- What is that, exactly? - That's Coco the alpaca.
0:24:35 > 0:24:39- Have you just had this one shorn? - Yes, yes, he's just been shorn.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41Not by an expert, I would suggest?
0:24:41 > 0:24:43- No! There's not many alpaca clippers around.- No.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46I wouldn't go to that one again!
0:24:50 > 0:24:53I've had a great day so far. It has been good.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57We've done the climbing wall, the woodland walk, saw them blow up
0:24:57 > 0:25:00the hot-air balloon and come down now to see the falconry by the lake.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03The girls have really enjoyed it, and I've enjoyed it as well.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05I'd say really good value for money.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07I think, in total, we spent about £20, including food,
0:25:07 > 0:25:10and I've got four kids, so I think a very good day.
0:25:10 > 0:25:11NICK WHISTLES
0:25:15 > 0:25:16We've just had a fantastic day.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19We've been here from opening to closing, pretty much.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21- It's passed the whole day. - They've certainly freshened it up.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23You can see the traversing wall they've put in,
0:25:23 > 0:25:26one really good example. That's really lifted the whole area
0:25:26 > 0:25:28and brought something a little bit different to Breckenhill.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31But for the person who wants to be a repeat customer,
0:25:31 > 0:25:33every time they do this fun day, which they should repeat,
0:25:33 > 0:25:35they should always add something different,
0:25:35 > 0:25:38you know, and I know canoeing on the lake is maybe an option
0:25:38 > 0:25:40come the future, and that will be a big next step -
0:25:40 > 0:25:44and a good next step - for Breckenhill to take, moving forward.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47Well, that's the end of the first family open day at Breckenhill,
0:25:47 > 0:25:49but was it a success?
0:25:49 > 0:25:52Time for a good night's sleep before some
0:25:52 > 0:25:54serious number crunching.
0:25:57 > 0:26:0024 hours later, I've come back to see
0:26:00 > 0:26:04whether the open day really was a great success.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06When I left you last night,
0:26:06 > 0:26:09you were frantically gathering up buckets full of cash.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11So, revenue?
0:26:11 > 0:26:16- How many people came through the door?- About 300.- 300? All right.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19- And what revenue did that generate? - 1,130.- Very good.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23Now, the second revenue stream, of course, all the activities,
0:26:23 > 0:26:26- and your...- And the catering, and the barbecue. Yep.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29- How did that go?- That brought in another 1,100.- Very good.
0:26:29 > 0:26:34So that gave us a total turnover of 2,230, is that fair?
0:26:34 > 0:26:40- Yeah.- But now, costs.- Well, the staff came to about 1,300.
0:26:40 > 0:26:41£1,300?
0:26:41 > 0:26:44- HE WHISTLES - Right.
0:26:44 > 0:26:48- And the add-ons?- The other costs added up to about 600.
0:26:48 > 0:26:54- So total cost, 1,900?- Yep. - And that shows £330 profit.
0:26:54 > 0:26:55Well, I enjoyed the day,
0:26:55 > 0:26:59and I certainly felt that there was a smell of success about it.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01But let's just think about the staffing, because I think that
0:27:01 > 0:27:05you threw everything at it to ensure that it was a success.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07Perfectly reasonable thing to do.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10But, if you reduced it by, say, 25%,
0:27:10 > 0:27:14that would give you a saving of about £325.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17Add that to the gate money,
0:27:17 > 0:27:21so suddenly we're up to just short of 660.
0:27:21 > 0:27:22Where else?
0:27:22 > 0:27:23The freebie.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26The free activity for everybody who paid to come in.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29And they all flocked to the most expensive, the archery.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32Let's say that 100 people, more people,
0:27:32 > 0:27:36would have paid for the archery. Three pounds a pop, that's £300.
0:27:36 > 0:27:41Add that to the 660 and you've got 960,
0:27:41 > 0:27:42you're nudging 1,000.
0:27:42 > 0:27:47On a turnover of £2,230, that's a business.
0:27:51 > 0:27:55When I first came to Breckenhill, David and Henrietta had a vision
0:27:55 > 0:27:59for their outdoor pursuits business, but it wasn't really working.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02They added the Tildarg Fishery and then came the big move,
0:28:02 > 0:28:07the creation of the Ballyclare Activity Trail, a cluster group.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11And yesterday that cluster group came out to play
0:28:11 > 0:28:13at the open day here, and it worked.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16They ended the day with a profit, and that tells me that,
0:28:16 > 0:28:19with fine tuning, they've got a sustainable business here
0:28:19 > 0:28:20for years to come.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd