What should I check before buying a trampoline park?

A trampoline park is a safety business as much as an entertainment one. Confirm whether the equipment is sound, the record is clean and the insurer is willing to stay. The checklist below is built around those points. It is practical, not legal. Rules about waivers and the oversight of amusement equipment are for your lawyer to explain.

Equipment and maintenance

Ask for a list of every trampoline bed, frame, pad and net, with the date each was installed. Ask to see the maintenance log and the daily inspection sheets, not just a summary. Have someone who knows the equipment walk the floor with you. Ask who did the original installation and whether the supplier is still in business. Find out whether replacement parts are easy to get.

Incidents and insurance

Ask for the incident log and for the claims history over several years. Ask how staff are trained and whether the training is written down. Then ask the park’s insurance broker whether the policy would renew for a new owner and on what terms. Ask an insurance broker early whether this kind of business can be insured and on what terms.

Lease and building

Read the lease with your lawyer: its remaining term, renewal options, and whether the landlord must consent to a new tenant. Check that the space has the ceiling height and floor loading the park needs, and ask whether any changes have been made to the building. A short lease can limit what you can spend on the park.

Bookings and customers

• Export reports from the booking system for parties, memberships and walk-ins.
• Check how many bookings are repeat customers.
• Ask whether waivers are stored digitally and how long they are kept.
• Read recent online reviews for comments about safety and cleanliness.