Take Cover! Fun Is Heading Your Way

19th April 2006

A new business in Wick is set to have everyone running for cover.

For Paul Steven, whose family owns AMS Motorcycles in Wick, has started up a paintball business on a five-acre site at Bilbster Mains.

It will allow groups of between eight and 20 people to have hours of fun staging fictional battles against one another using guns that fire balls of paint.

After securing financial assistance from Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise, Paul (31), opened Wick-ed Paintball for business this month.

His own enjoyment of the activity led him to conduct some market research about its viability in Caithness. His plan met with a positive response locally and as soon as he announced his proposal he received an immediate booking for a party of 20 followed by a steady flow of inquiries from all over Caithness and even Sutherland.

"Anyone over the age of 16 can take part, or between 12 and 16 if accompanied by an adult," said Paul, "It's very popular for stag or hen parties, or for people who just want to get together to pass an afternoon. We have a lot of different scenarios so the games can be different each time people come."

Paul, a qualified first-aider, works at the facility full-time joined by another part-time employee. Wick-ed Paintball is affiliated to the Paintball Sports Federation and adheres to all of their Health and Safety recommendations. All protective gear is supplied for the entry fee of £17.50 per head.

Ian Thomson, development officer with CASE, said: "Paul has been planning to start a paintball centre for some time and I am confident that it will be well supported by locals and visitors alike. It will extend the range of leisure facilities available in Caithness and I would expect this new business venture to be a success."

Paul can be contacted on 07884185015 or by email at wickedpaintball[AT]aol.com