A local landowner has launched a new team building business which he says will be a much needed ‘shot in the arm’ for local corporate growth post-lockdown.

The 700-acre Hatton Estate, which has been in the Arkwright family since the early 19th century, now hosts exclusive indoor and outdoor hospitality and events from four to 400 people.

It is available on both fully managed days and a venue hire basis, with activities from sport and leisure through to individual and team challenges.

Incorporating the Hatton Country World and Hatton Arms businesses, the new events menu includes everything from Laser Combat, Escape Rooms, Soap Box Derby, Scaling the Heights, Bridge The Divide and The Bigger Picture to It’s A Knockout, Circus Skills Workshop, Sports Days and Inflatable Games. Plus amateur sleuths can even take on a Crime Scene Investigation challenge.

As well as team building, Hatton Estates’ new events marquee can host parties, events, conferences and weddings.

This marks the latest in a series of diversifications for Hatton Estate, part of a country estate owned by the Arkwright family.

The family – who are direct descendants of Sir Richard Arkwright, a pioneer of the industrial revolution – acquired seven small farmsteads in 1830. Over the years the small buildings on the farms became redundant due to the modernisation of British farming.

Johnnie Arkwright said: “Exclusive Team Building, Family Fun and Activity Away Days are now a key part of business planning as companies decide how best to tackle what for many are more demanding times. It’s how best to build relationships with clients, to make your teams as effective as possible, to celebrate success and to motivate your employees.”

“Located five minutes from the Midlands motorway network and regular trains to London and Birmingham, we’re obviously in a great position to host both local and national events.”

“And because we have a whole range of the activities and facilities that most venues have to buy in, we are able to put on Events Days at very competitive prices.”

He added: “For all businesses staff and clients are key and it’s well established that Away Days can boost both productivity and sales. Tailor making programmes that focus on a company’s objectives is an art-form in itself and the numerous venue options that Hatton is able to offer make this task that much more straightforward.”

“If the Midlands is to thrive in an era of increasingly global competition where AI and digitalisation is fast changing both work practises and markets, we need forward-looking businesses prepared to invest in their teams and to explore new markets. And we want to do our bit to help our great region to stay at the forefront for decades to come.“

Hatton Estate has been home to the Arkwright family for the last 200 years when, back in 1770 they had the vision to build the first mechanised factory in the world and is now regarded as ‘The Father of the Factory System.’

“Carving a successful role for the Midlands over the next 100 years might be every bit as big a challenge as The Industrial Revolution all those years ago!”