For the last year and a half my business partner and I have been working on our business idea, Bowling alley, we are both 22 and we live in sligo ireland, where we lived we noticed we had pretty much everything from cafes to shopping centres to clothes shops, bars and restuarants etc, but no real leisure facilitys so we thought a bowling alley would be great, not long ago our local paper printed an article on how our town needs a bowling alley so this got us excited as we knew we have a market and it would be a success, we have done courses,completed a very good business plan with projections and all market research added,only thing is we are both 22 and have little money,we have been saving but we only have €10,000 to date so we needed help regarding investment to get this thing moving,we set up meetings with our local enterprise board and although they think its a great idea,they cant give grants to our kind of business,its got to be manufacturing for them to give any kind of grant aid, so this leaves us with the banks, I spoke to a good friend who works in a local bank and told him how we need €120,000 to get this open and he said there is no way any bank would give us that amount,not in todays climate,no chance,so we thought last chance saloon is a private investor,we have put our idea on a investment site,based for ireland and the uk but after 5 people being interested we have heard nothing back from these,its been very frustrating for us as we know we have a business that could be very successful, yet we cant seem to get the help, we have had every door shut in our face, to make things worse there is rumour going around that some fat cat business man with big pockets is thinking of opening one and has applied for planning, so after all our hard work and dedication, thats it gone as we cant think of what else to do ... i feel so deflated and down to be honest, life eh!
      Answer1:Tough life innit!
      Answer2:Have you thought of a franchise? Perhaps one of the chain of bowling places may be interested in going into it with you?Good luck!
      Answer3:what a pisser....
      Answer4:Youre not alone. Many businesses cant get loans now and potential home buyers cant get mortgages.Do they have any Small Business Associations in your city or country? Here in the U.S. they have associations like those that can help businesses get a start. Look around to see what help the govt can give you. Also, do more research about whether a bowling alley would truly make money in your town. Call the city council and the local papers and ask them what they know the people really want.
      Answer5:Do you have a business plan you can show your investors?Have you thought about going to Ireland to find investors who would be interested?Have you got a descent marketing plan and good unique selling points that you could patent against the fat cat? How do you intend to promote your brand?Do you have ways to secure your market position when you have finally set up?Do you have growth plans that would ensure your business grow enough to counteract the fat cat?Have you considered a secondary business enterprise to support your bowling alley in case it encounters any liquidity problems?Have you got sponsors or other people interested in setting up may be a restuarant/cinema/gaming centre/bars etc. in your bowling alley?hope these questions help
      Answer6:It is a cut throat world out there if you dont have and you share your idea someone with wealth goes after it. It sucks but you can do something else. putt putt golf is a good way to go it would take a spot of land and some wood designs that you could build yourself. Get used supplies online cheep and as you grow turn it into a fun center with games and indoor activities much better than the fat cats alley
      Answer7:Sorry to hear that, just incase your idea still has life at some point, you should check this guy out he gives tips and tools for everything to do with businesses online and offline.Hope it helps in some little way.http://www.homemoneyearning.com
      Answer8:Youve got some good answers here already. Just a couple things to add:1. I smell age discrimination going on here, as well. In the eyes of these money-lenders, you two are just 22 yr old kids . A good plan, idea, etc does not amount to experience in their eyes. Look for a third partner who has actually worked in a bowling alley, or even owned one?2. You might some funding from youth organizations? Whatever, good luck....
      Answer9:Actually, the answers by Ingenious and Revolution were exactly what I was going to recommend. But the number one things I would concentrate on are the unique cross community promotion opportunities in a small town as well as community support for local ownership and job provision in this economy. Turn the detractions against you into selling points.
      Answer10:You need to raise capital and fast, especially if someone is looking to open the same facility. Keep an eye out in all the local papers in case he does apply for planning. First thing Id do is pull out the golden pages and make a list of all the leisure facilities in towns the same size as Sligo. Then Id whittle down the list and go about contacting those who might be interested in expanding their brand name, put an offer to them for a percentage in the business in exchange for start up costs and advice. Maybe offer to call your facility the same as theirs so you could double up on your marketing and save costs. It will still be your business and when you are earning you could buy back any percentage you sold originally...failing that go on dragons den maybe?
      Answer11:Look on the bright side, at least u have age and future opportunities on ur side - small consolation I knowU could consider (if these rumours r true) approaching the individual involved, and talking urselves in2 a job - not what u were hoping for I appreciate, but an alternative option just the sameRemember a lot of the gathered data/stats u have at hand, could b very useful 2 a prospective investor or businessmanIm sure the local Planning Dept would have info on new project applications, plus, possibly a public meeting is a legal requirement to hear local objections & concerns etc, etcThe BBC2 program the " Lions Den" might b worth investigating 2,even at this late stage - its at least worth a try !!Best of