Go Ape is looking for an investor ready to stump up £15 million to £20 million as the tree-top activity group seeks to double in size over the next five years.
The company has appointed Livingstone Partners to canvass interest with a view to identifying a new investment partner by the end of the year.
Tristram and Rebecca Mayhew, both 50, were holidaying in France in 2001 when they came across a family “having the time of their lives” swinging through the trees. The couple quit their London jobs and founded Go Ape.
Mr Mayhew and his brother Jerome, 49, remain on the board, while Rebecca Mayhew is chairwoman. Jon Noakes, 41, managing director, is leading the expansion.
It has 34 sites across Britain and plans to open more, while revamping existing venues. Last year, it had 900,000 visitors and generated UK sales of £19.2 million. By 2023, it expects visitors to top two million a year.
Go Ape also has a business in the United States, in 16 locations.
