Economists tell us that the organisations that will survive this market downturn are the ones that have the ability to be flexible and who can be inventive - that applies to any business which opens it doors to the public.

Football and Rugby clubs can suffer badly when markets and consumer confidence are down, and it is more likely now than ever before that they will be affected as for the majority, the main income, is from the public.

Some clubs, however, have been highly successful in attracting additional income from social and hospitality events on non match days. They can cater for a wedding ceremony while holding business meetings, dinners and much more.

Their success comes from being adaptable; they can turn around a room several times a day, making the empty space earn its keep. Right now, empty space is potentially profitable and they’re making it work for them.

Unleashing the capacities of an empty room could increase the revenue of a room substantially - generating up to 300% more profit. On hire charge alone, an organisation could double or treble profits by renting out a room multiple times in a day and that does not include the profits that could be earned from providing refreshment and other services.

Wolverhampton Wanderers has recently invested in some flexible folding staging to ensure that its rooms can meet any type of social occasion. Liverpool Football and Celtic have done something similar to ensure that empty rooms can be quickly turned into business meetings, dinner venues or conferences.

For many organisations the biggest problems are space and practicality. Furniture that is bulky and space consuming will hinder the ability to cater for events. The need for furniture that is easily stored and simple to assemble is paramount - products that will allow them to cater two or three different events a day; a breakfast meeting, a lunchtime conference or even a black tie banquet in the evenings.

One of Britain’s leading suppliers of space saving furniture, Gopak, is able to advise clients on how best to make the most of open space. They have dedicated teams who see companies through the ordering process, helping them to find the solution to their problem. The company’s greatest strength is its versatile and functional furniture - the products are lightweight, durable and easily stored.

Folkestone Rugby Club in Kent has made its unused space pay following a major refurbishment. The club needed attractive and handy furniture that could be used for all types of functions. Designers, Inspiring Interiors, recommended a range of specially coloured Round Tables, Premier Tables and POP Chairs from Gopak.

The bespoke Round Tables were crucial to the refurbishment, providing the high class round banqueting tables necessary for any event. They were finished with a bespoke Boysenberry wipe clean laminate. This tone, deeper than raspberry, works with the new lime green walls and keeps the club looking stylish when the tables are not covered for dining.

Available in diameters of 4ft or 5ft, Round Tables feature an ingenious Posi-Lock folding mechanism. This allows the legs of the table to be folded down for convenient storage whilst ensuring that they are totally rigid when erected. They can be easily rolled on their edge for transportation, or with the addition of a Gopak Storage Trolley, several can be moved at once.

The Round Tables were complemented with a range of Premier Tables. Highly usable, the tables fold flat for convenient storage.

Exceptionally durable thanks to Polyedge technology - a hard wearing polyurethane seal running round the table top - the tables are perfectly suited to being moved around for a variety of uses.

Though highly functional, Premier Tables don’t lose out on style. With their lightweight aluminium legs and a choice of imitation wood or brightly coloured laminates, Premier Tables have a distinctly professional look. Easily cleaned, they are also hygienic if used for catering.

For portable, lasting and vibrantly coloured seating, a set of POP Chairs completes the Gopak line-up. Super lightweight yet immensely strong owing to its polymer air moulded design, POP Chairs simply won’t break - if bent they jump right back to their original shape!

With an ergonomic shape to provide outstanding lumbar support, the chairs offer the last word in comfort. Easy to handle, clean and move, they can be stacked to save space for other uses.

Football and rugby clubs such as Liverpool, Celtic, Wolverhampton and Folkestone have already seen the potential of Gopak’s products, choosing the company to help them get the most from empty space.

Versatile staging, stackable seating and a whole range of lightweight demountable furniture is helping to turn such open space into profitable venues - again and again - every day.

Our country may be in a state of economic downturn but that doesn’t have to mean ruin for businesses - with a little ingenuity and some help from Gopak, it is still possible for football and rugby clubs that cater for public events to prosper.

Gopak

www.gopak.co.uk