Leeds escape game a huge hit in first month

Great Escape Game is now expected to host 50,000 players over the next year, all keen to sample its Crystal Maze-themed rooms.

Set up by Peter Lacole and Hannah Duraid, who already run a similar venture in Sheffield, the experience takes inspiration from TV game shows and live theatre, and is themed around horror movies and detective dramas.

“Getting over 1,500 customers through the doors in our first weeks has proved our instincts and our research into the Leeds marketplace were correct,” said Hannah, who discovered the concept while travelling around Asia with boyfriend Peter.

“We hit 27,000 visitors a year in Sheffield and we believe our target audience in Leeds was almost double that figure.”

Managing director Hannah has been mentored by the Leeds Entrepreneurial Spark hatchery, part of the globally-run free growth accelerator programme.

“We have a class offering for Leeds. Having studied games all over the UK, we believe we have created one of the most technologically advanced escape games in the country.”

The Leeds venture created 16 new jobs. Another 24 could be employed as new rooms are added under ambitious expansion plans for the 6,000-sq.ft former office site in Atlas House on King Street.

The idea has proved popular for corporate team-building events, and advertising agencies, the NHS, banks and law and accountancy firms have already immersed themselves in the experience, with many having booked office Christmas parties at Great Escape Game.

A licensed bar is also planned to open to coincide with the festive market.