Malvern-based lifestyle business Top Escape Rooms has significantly strengthened and expanded its offering thanks to tailored support from Worcestershire Growth Hub, helping the business navigate post-pandemic challenges and unlock new growth opportunities.
Founded just before the Covid-19 pandemic, Top Escape Rooms faced immediate and unexpected obstacles. Like many leisure businesses, growth stalled, and the need to rethink the business model became critical as restrictions eased.
“We started just before Covid and really struggled to grow,” explains Adam Buick, Owner of Top Escape Rooms. “Coming out of the pandemic, we knew something had to change, but we didn’t know what support was available or where to start.”
Discovering the Right Support
Adam was approached by the Worcestershire Growth Hub team for an initial conversation about the business a turning point that opened his eyes to the breadth of support available to small companies.
“I was genuinely fascinated,” Adam says. “I didn’t realise there were so many options available to a business like ours. More importantly, the Growth Hub didn’t just give information they showed us where to go and what would actually be useful. That guidance was invaluable.”
Through the Growth Hub, Adam was introduced to Elevate Worcestershire, where he joined peer-to-peer networking sessions with other businesses of a similar size. These sessions provided practical insight into scaling a business, alongside shared challenges around staffing, marketing and growth planning.
Building Skills and Confidence
A key challenge for Top Escape Rooms was staffing and developing a clear, consistent approach to social media marketing. Through Elevate Worcestershire, Adam accessed targeted training and one-to-one support, including specialist advice on recruitment.
“Staffing had always been a struggle for us,” Adam explains. “Jamie arranged a one-to-one session with an expert, which made a huge difference. It helped us understand how to recruit better and build a stronger team.”
Adam also undertook training in digital tools, including Canva and AI, enabling him to develop content more confidently and efficiently.
“Learning how to make AI and design tools work for my business completely changed how we approach marketing,” he says. “Having someone outside the business who understands how quickly things change year to year is incredibly helpful.”
Jamie Clyne, Account Manager for Malvern Hills and Wyre Forest at the Worcestershire Growth Hub, added: “I am so pleased that Top Escape Rooms have seen so much benefit from engaging with the Growth Hub, and that our support has helped their growth plans to come to fruition.”
“I look forward to working with Adam and the team for many more years to come, to overcome their next barriers to growth and achieve their next set of growth ambitions.”
Tangible Growth and New Opportunities
With clearer direction and renewed confidence, Top Escape Rooms expanded its offering, building additional games and successfully opening a second site. Adam has since become an advocate for business support, speaking on a Growth Hub panel at the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce and recommending the Growth Hub to other local businesses.
“They ask questions you didn’t even realise you needed to answer,” Adam reflects. “That challenge is what pushes you forward.”
Looking ahead, support through Elevate Worcestershire continues to shape the business’s next phase. With guidance from a dedicated business advisor, Top Room Escapes is now preparing to diversify further by building and designing escape rooms for other businesses.
“Without the Growth Hub, I honestly wouldn’t be where I am now,” Adam concludes. “Having a support network like Elevate is vital for small businesses. It’s not just about growth it’s about having confidence in the decisions you’re making.”
