SPOTLIGHT ON AN INFLATABLE HIRE COMPANY
Jalmac Leisure – Manchester.
YOUR NAME?
Jim McManamon
NAME OF YOUR INFLATABLE HIRE COMPANY?
Jalmac Leisure Ltd www.jalmacleisure.com
YOUR LOCATION?
Tameside, Manchester
WHAT IS YOUR AGE?
52
WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE YOU STARTED HIRING OUT INFLATABLES?
Plumber for North West Water, British Gas.
WHAT MADE YOU START AN INFLATABLE HIRE BUSINESS?
After having a house party 15 years ago we wanted to provide some fun for everybody else’s children. We decided to hire a bouncy castle but all we could get was an old castle at £65 from an HSS Hire Shop!
WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES?
Travel, Caravanning, fishing, shooting and DIY
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE?
The Quiet Man
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MEAL?
Roast Lamb dinner on a Sunday after work
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE UK HOLIDAY DESTINATION?
Cornwall
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION ABROAD?
Australia
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TV PROGRAMME?
Long Lost Families
WHAT DO YOU MOST ENJOY ABOUT THE INFLATABLE HIRE BUSINESS?
Delivering good value fun for our customers
WHAT DO YOU LEAST ENJOY ABOUT THE INFLATABLE HIRE BUSINESS?
Bad weather! People booking at the last minute and expecting you to jump through hoops.
IF YOU COULD WAVE A MAGIC WAND WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE INDUSTRY?
Get rid of the self appointed bouncy castle police!
HAVE YOU EVER HAD A HIRING FROM HELL? (or a very unusual booking?)
Oh yes! Picking up a castle 8 years ago me and my colleague were given a cake each (I was being greedy because as far as my wife knew I was on a diet). Unknown to us the cakes contained a cocktail of drugs (some joker at the party had expected the guests to ‘enjoy’ them). We both ate the cakes and I suffered an adverse reaction to it and ended up calling 999 and being taken to A&E (I thought I was dying). The following day I felt numb at the thought I could have easily had a crash being unknowingly under the influence of drugs. Whoever would have believed me if that would have happened?
DO YOU HAVE ANY USEFUL TIPS OR IDEAS THAT YOU COULD SHARE WITH THE OTHER BIHA MEMBERS.
1) Network with other local bouncy castle hire companies that are reputable rather than be staunch enemies.
2) Before paying fees to self-appointed ‘training instructors’ check them out first. Speak to others who have attended their training courses, get their feedback and opinions. Go onto the forum at www.BouncyCastleOwner.com and ask people what they thought of these courses. Check with the course organiser that they have a proper sound system in place (e.g. micro-phone and speakers) to ensure that the noise of the castle fan does not make it difficult to hear the speaker.
HOW HAS THE BIHA HELPED YOU IN YOUR INFLATABLE HIRE BUSINESS?
I have been a member of the BIHA for many years. I have recommended them to many companies in the business. The BIHA has given me many tips and lots of advice. It has also alerted me to thefts, scams and incidents that have been happening on different patches.
———————————————————
Thank you Jim for taking time out of your hire
business to answer these questions – it’s greatly appreciated.