Romero Insurance Brokers insures the iconic Rowans Tenpin Bowl
Client Stories focusses on local businesses who have a special relationship with Romero Insurance Brokers – demonstrating how dedicated insurance professionals can positively impact their local area. NDML, sister-company of Romero Insurance Brokers, holds a longstanding relationship with their client, the iconic Rowans Tenpin Bowl.
Rowans Tenpin Bowl is a highly diversified night time entertainment venue in Finsbury Park, London. Born in 1988, the bowling alley is a real-American retro-styled staple, offering 24 lanes and 13 pool tables. Photos of visiting celebrities adorn the walls, alongside motorbikes and American memorabilia, possessions of the family-owners. Having previously existed as a cinema, and a snooker hall, the old-school architecture of the building is stunning. Convenient, chilled-out and iconic; at Rowans Tenpin Bowl time stands still.
General Manager, Terence Harrison, has worked at the venue since the beginning, starting out as an Accountant and then onto leadership. All the finances, payroll, and insurance details run through him. The beating heart of the business, Terence has immense trust in his dedicated broking team at NDML, Michael Dawson and Amy Moor.
Terence is constantly exploring how to move the business forward. Rowans Tenpin Bowl recently opened an outdoor dining area, they have a growing list of DJs and speed-dating events, and are toying with the idea of a mini golf course. Terence speaks about the importance of his relationship with his brokers, and how this gives him the confidence to expand and diversify his business.
What is your background with Rowans Tenpin Bowl?
Terence Harrison explains he started with the business at its formation in 1988 as the accountant. He then became the office manager in 1993, and has held the role of General Manager since 1995. Terence’ responsibilities include the day to day running of Rowans Tenpin Bowling; he has 80 employees, and all the accountancy still goes through him.
Rowans started life as a snooker club in 1986, but now it operates as a 24 lane bowling centre with a late-night entertainment arm, featuring many different DJs and genres of music. The unique nightclub-feel but with the socialising of tenpin bowling works very well for the success of the business says Terence.
How have you successfully integrated ten pin bowling with nightclubbing?
Terence says Rowans is the first tenpin bowling alley that had a live DJ. The scene has developed over the decades, but Rowans have updated their sound system and set up to stay ahead of the competition.
When was the last refurbishment at Rowans Tenpin Bowling?
Rowans are constantly refurbishing and improving their offering. Terence lists the recent refurbishments, including an outdoor dining section, a BBQ area, tech booth, speakers and arcade games. Terence explains that he is constantly looking at diversification, building on the core bowling aspect of the business. Converting the upstairs dancefloor into a mini golf arena is an option, as well as increasing the scope of the advertising to social media.
Terence says he wants to advertise how much cheaper his venue’s drink prices are compared to other venues in the area. A pint at Rowans is £6.20, whereas down the road a pint is around £7.20. But Terence will need to raise the prices, only by about 20p or so, to cover the cost increase impacting his business.
What costs are financially impacting bowling alley businesses?
Costs are constantly going up, affirms Terence. Wages are always going up alongside the minimum wage increase; it affects pensions and holiday pay too. Gas is actually 40% higher last year compared to the past year, exclaims Terence. Electricity is 15% higher.
Surprisingly, the World Cup negatively affected bowling alley revenue, which is a different result to most of the hospitality scene. Footfall is much quieter in the summer, and always picks up in the winter months, especially over Christmas. Terence has no worries at all that his busy won’t be busy every Saturday, allowing his to confidently reinvest.
Why have Rowans Tenpin Bowl been a client of NDML insurance for so long?
Rowans Tenpin Bowl are a client of NDML, Romero’s sister-company, and have been for nearly 25 years. We asked Terence why, and he said it’s because of his great relationship with Michael Dawson and the service of Amy Moor. He says he trusts Miki, who is always helpful, always responsive. And whenever another broker knocks on Terence’s door, he finds they can’t offer what NDML can. NDML’s guidance, expertise and reputation within the sector is second to none.
What insurance risks are effectively managed by Rowan’s Tenpin Bowl?
There are many insurance risks present at a bowling alley and entertainment centre – especially one that has adopted nightclubbing facilities such as Rowans Tenpin Bowl. Terence has a huge checklist covering a great many of the risks, which is filled out every morning by staff and manager. Security is the main issue, Terence noting that fire exits and alarms are routinely checked. Rowans Bowling Alley employs many security staff, based near the lanes and bar, near the entrance and outside the premises. The premises are also manned 24/7 with security personnel staying overnight.
Theft and unacceptable behaviour from customers are main risks for busy bowling alleys. Whether that behaviour is being drunk and disorderly, or abusive, or extortion – this need to be managed. Spillages are handled quickly by dedicated cleaners to minimise risk, and security and trained to spot and handle disruptive behaviours. Most transactions are card now, 93%, so only a limited amount of cash is present at the premises. An extensive network of CCTV surveillance is present, assisting in resolving claims were to one to ever be brought forward.
See the full video interview with Terence Harrison and Rowans Tenpin Bowl