Hemel games firm escapes Covid with move outdoors

The operator of Hemel’s Escape Rooms forced into a temporary closure by the Covid lockdown has launched three outdoors challenges.
Checking out city map on tablet computer during Mission Spy Catcher.Checking out city map on tablet computer during Mission Spy Catcher.
Checking out city map on tablet computer during Mission Spy Catcher.

The open air games have been unveiled by Distance Games, part of the VIRE Group which also operates Hemel Escape Rooms.

It has launched three new outside challenge games in Hemel Old Town to provide safe leisure activities for people in the same household and groups of up to six, in line with government guidelines.

With so many leisure facilities necessarily closed due to Covid-19 restrictions, the team at VIRE were determined to provide some form of leisure to local people so they could enjoy socialising outside of school or work in a socially responsible setting.

The three challenge games include an outside escape room experience, Mission Spy Catcher, where individual groups have to work as a team to solve clues hidden around Hemel Old Town; Brain Terrain, a physical and mental fitness game based around beautiful Chipperfield; and Road Quest, a car-based puzzle game where players have to crack clues to save a priceless painting.

Ian Cox, managing director of the VIRE Group, said: “The activities are great fun and present a challenge to all participants including families.

He said: “Like most other businesses, we were forced to close by the pandemic, but we soon sensed the growing frustration people felt with so little to do.

“Consequently, we decided to focus all our resources on devising alternative, leisure activities which could be enjoyed outside, and which took all the requisite social distancing rules into account.

He added: “The games have only just been launched, but so far feedback has been promising.

“Customers are delighted to have something new and different to do.

“Some have even booked games to celebrate a special occasion.”

The games are between 60-90 minutes in duration and are available from Thursday to Sunday, from June until late summer in Hemel Old Town, Aylesbury and Bishop’s Stortford.

For further details visit www.virezone.co.uk Tel 0330 303 0880.