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The idea for OnTarget first came to Gordon Gaze in January 2013. Gordon was an IT consultant with a passionate interest in shooting who found it was almost impossible to find quality places in Northamptonshire where he could pursue his hobby.
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Airgunning is an Olympic sport which is a huge interest of Gordon’s, but faced with the challenges of very limited venue options and all of them being outdoor (so subject to the indeterminable British weather), he decided to create an indoor Airgunning mecca.
After 12 months of planning, and with considerable hurdles to overcome, OnTarget Indoor Air Rifle Range opened their 
doors in March 2014. In the two years since the Range has seen huge growth and incredible feedback. It now has more than 350 members, a social media following of more than 4,000 people, 65 five star reviews on Tripadvisor and over 150 glowing reviews on Facebook, making the range the 3rd most popular leisure destination in Northamptonshire.
After only one year in operation OnTarget won the Walther Field Target Retailer of the year 2016, and are currently finalists in the 2017 SME Small Business awards for Northamptonshire.
Unfortunately still the most common phrase uttered by OnTarget customers is ‘I didn’t know you were here!’ and with an appetite to continue the business’ growth Gordon approached the Northamptonshire Growth Hub for help in August 2016.
Following a discussion with Growth Hub Business Adviser Mark McGowan, OnTarget joined the Ready2Grow project and attended a series of workshops covering key areas of business including how to reach new markets, and funding options available to support business growth.
It was clear that support would be required from a professional marketing company to help increase footfall to the range, so OnTarget applied for a Business Support Grant through Ready2Grow, which was subsequently approved. This enabled OnTarget to engage the services of Jump Media, another Ready2Grow participant business who Gordon actually met at the project workshops.
Gordon says:
“The support provided by the Growth Hub and the Ready2Grow project has been invaluable and has given me a much clearer view of where I want to get to, and how to get there. The grant will be a terrific help and with the services of Jump Media people will soon know we’re here!”
Our Business Adviser Mark McGowan added:
“OnTarget is an excellent example of a business offering something unique in the marketplace and making the most of the opportunities available to enable growth. A number of businesses on Ready2Grow are now working together, an unexpected bonus!”
The Ready2Grow project can help your business achieve its potential, whether you’re an entrepreneur who’s starting out or an established company planning for growth. Ready2Grow is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and delivered by Northamptonshire Growth Hub, led by The University of Northampton in partnership with Northamptonshire County Council. For more information, contact us.
Check out OnTarget on Facebook.
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