Couple aiming to create the great escape rooms
ORMSKIRK could be getting its first escape rooms soon, called Lockdown.
The rooms have grown in popularity in recent years and involve a team of players discovering clues, solving puzzles, and accomplishing tasks in one or more rooms to accomplish a goal in a limited amount of time.
There will be three rooms in one building in the heart of Ormskirk town centre, called The Institution, The Lodge, and The Ministry.
The project is the ideo of husband and wife, Pete and Sophie Carey.
The couple moved from
Liverpool to Ormskirk in 2014 and fell in love with the town’s bars, restaurants, and cafes.
Peter, 32, works in hospitality management and Sophie, 31, works in retail management.
They made plans for Lockdown in 2017 when they combined a cool bar and escape rooms in a concept called the AdultArcade.
But they wanted to scale down and focus on the escape rooms and Lockdown was born.
After looking at locations in Liverpool city centre, they decided it did not feel right and they wanted to bring something special to Ormskirk.
Peter said: “Ormskirk was the ideal spot, it gives our town something to be proud of and adds to the ever-growing list of places to visit here.
“The family community and the fantastic student population from Edge Hill University make this one of the best and most diverse spots in the North West. We’d like to create local jobs too and get people in the community involved.”
Lockdown appeals to everyone of all abilities and ages and will have a magical-themed, room.
The couple wanted to create not only a fun and engaging escape rooms but to also build on the concept.
Peter said: “We’re puzzle geeks and we’ve been to plenty of escape rooms so we’ve designed lots of puzzles and props.
“A lot of escape rooms you’re just given the tasks and you solve them but childfriendly we’re creating back stories as to how you’ve ended up in the room and what you’ve got to do next.
“It’s a TV screen that explains it basically so we will need actors to play the parts. Might be a thing for Edge Hill Uni students to get involved in.”
The couple have identified a location in the town centre and raised £40,000; they now need a final push of £20,000 to secure the building, for which they have started a Kickstarter Campaign.
Peter said: “The location is very important as it will determine what kind of hidden rooms and trap doors we have.
“We are ready to go, we can secure the property and begin the build with a successful Kickstarter. We aim to open in the summer of 2020 – just in time for freshers’ week and Hallowe’en.”
Different offers are available for various funding pledges that include free games, a chance to be a game master and to be immortalised in the videos of Lockdown’s back stories.
For information or to help, visit www. gofundme.com/f/lockdown-ormskirk or visit FB @lockdownormskirk and Instagram @lockdown_ ormskirk.