UK entertainment chain collapses into administration but 80 jobs rescued amid business rate increases

Joe Sledge
Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:50:22 +0000

The company behind wizard-themed crazy golf chain The Hole In Wand has been rescued after briefly falling into administration earlier this month.

Potions Cauldron Ltd entered administration on April 10 after the York-based business was described as being in a "distressed position."

Joint administrators from BTG were appointed to oversee the process.

A newly formed company, The Potions Group Ltd, completed a pre-pack deal on the same day, securing the future of the business.

TRENDING

Stories

Videos

Your Say

The agreement safeguarded between 72 and 80 jobs across the group.

Hole In Wand was founded in 2018 by Phil Pinder and Ben Fry, who developed a "magical drinks emporium" concept centred on wizard-themed retail and immersive experiences.

Its portfolio includes The Potions Cauldron apothecary shops, The Potions Academy, and The Potions Express retail kiosk at York Station.

The group’s most prominent attraction is The Hole In Wand, which operates nine-hole wizard-themed mini golf courses.

Customers receive a themed potion drink after completing their round.

Locations include York, Blackpool, Chester, Leeds and Seaham.

All English Hole In Wand sites and retail outlets continue to operate as normal following the rescue deal.

However, The Potions Cauldron site in Edinburgh has closed, resulting in four redundancies.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

UK restaurant chain enters administration citing ‘market pressures’ as high street woes continue

Major British pet brand used by over 100,000 owners COLLAPSES after 25 years of trading

American fast food chain Chipotle to open raft of new restaurants on Britain's high streets

Its Rose Street location had only opened in May 2023.

The new company confirmed that all monies owed to local suppliers, contractors and partners were up to date at the point trading ceased under the previous entity.

Mr Fry and Mr Pinder will remain with the business under the new ownership structure.

Stuart Jarman will also continue in his role as managing director.

All existing brands, including The Potions Academy and The Hole In Wand, will continue operating.

Mr Jarman said: "It is no surprise that there have been many challenges, particularly over the last 12 months for businesses within the leisure, tourism and hospitality sector from rising staff and utility costs, business rates increases, and footfall in key UK tourism markets."

He added: "I am sure that there will be further challenges that lie ahead, but we will be making significant changes to practices to ensure that we are stronger placed for the future."

Customers have been told there will be no disruption to bookings, with websites, venues and reservations continuing unchanged.

The company now operates eight outlets, comprising five Hole In Wand courses and three Potions Cauldron shops.