WICKET 2 WICKET LIMITED

Executive Summary

WICKET 2 WICKET LIMITED operates as a micro-entity in the UK sports facilities sector, a capital-intensive industry typically dominated by larger players with more stable financials. Its negative equity and working capital challenges reflect operational strains common to early-stage, small-scale sports operators amid post-pandemic recovery and increasing market competition. The company currently occupies a niche position with limited scale and resources, indicating significant hurdles to achieving sustainable growth within the evolving sports facility landscape.

WICKET 2 WICKET LIMITED - Analysis Report

Company Number: 13727382

Analysis Date: 2025-07-20 16:26 UTC

1. Industry Classification
   WICKET 2 WICKET LIMITED operates under SIC code 93110, classified as "Operation of sports facilities." This sector typically includes businesses managing sports complexes, leisure centres, and related facilities offering sporting activities and recreational services. Key characteristics of this industry include high fixed asset intensity (sports infrastructure), seasonal or event-driven revenue streams, and reliance on local community engagement. The sector often faces challenges such as fluctuating attendance, maintenance costs, and evolving consumer preferences towards fitness and wellness.

2. Relative Performance
   As a micro-entity with an account category reflecting minimal turnover and employee base (1 employee reported), WICKET 2 WICKET LIMITED is very small compared to typical sports facility operators, which often qualify as small or medium enterprises due to the capital-intensive nature of their assets. The company’s financials reveal net liabilities of £18,577 as of August 2024, worsening from £7,146 the prior year, indicating deteriorating equity position despite owning fixed assets of approximately £76k. Negative net current assets (£-55,653) signify working capital challenges, common in new or small sports operations struggling with cash flow management. In contrast, established peers tend to maintain positive equity and net current assets, supported by steady membership or event revenues.

3. Sector Trends Impact
   The sports facilities sector in the UK has been influenced by several trends:

• Post-pandemic recovery dynamics, with gradual return of users but ongoing caution in usage patterns.
• Increasing competition from boutique fitness studios and digital fitness platforms, which can divert customer spending.
• Heightened demand for multifunctional venues offering wellness alongside traditional sports, requiring investment in facility upgrades.
• Pressure on pricing and membership retention as consumers seek value and flexibility.
  Given WICKET 2 WICKET LIMITED’s early stage (incorporated late 2021) and micro scale, these trends likely exacerbate cash flow pressures and constrain rapid growth, with limited ability to invest in diversification or marketing compared to larger operators.

4. Competitive Positioning
   Strengths of WICKET 2 WICKET LIMITED include its focused niche in sports facility operation and potentially localized market presence in Newport, Wales, which can foster community loyalty. However, its financial position reveals substantial weaknesses: persistent net liabilities, negative working capital, and a very small operational scale (one employee) limit competitive resilience. Unlike larger competitors, it lacks economies of scale, diversified revenue streams, and robust capital backing. The directors’ backgrounds as business owners and teachers suggest entrepreneurial drive but may indicate limited sector-specific operational experience. Overall, WICKET 2 WICKET LIMITED is positioned as a niche micro player struggling to establish a stable financial footing amid competitive and sectoral pressures.