“We are going to diversify further”: one year after its opening, the already successful bet of Vertigo Park in Villeneuve-sur-Lot

The paths lined with arcades are still deserted this early afternoon. After the rush of the All Saints' Day holidays, the 4,500 m² liner along the Fumel road returns to its usual cruising speed. In a few hours, dozens of people will come to have fun, escape for a game of laser tag or bowling. Teenagers, young adults, who have made this place their favorite place. The Vertigo Park in Villeneuve-sur-Lot has just celebrated its first candle. In twelve short months, the latest concept imagined by the Vergne brothers has already established itself well in the outing habits of Villeneuvois, its influence even extending beyond the borders of the Lot valley.

Also read:
VIDEO. Images of VertiGo Park in Villeneuve-sur-Lot, this XXL leisure complex which opens its doors on Wednesday

Proof of this is that the arrival of such equipment was awaited by Villeneuve families, with crowds there as soon as it opened. “We could have up to 1,200 bowling games per day at the very beginning,” recalls Manoah Cayuela, the manager of the Villeneuve site. At certain times, you had to be patient to be able to land on one of the 14 state-of-the-art slopes at Vertigo Villeneuvois. Fortunately, there is plenty of room to wait and vary the pleasures, on both sides of the building.

“Strength is the synergy between the three entities”

This first year of success and also the crowning achievement of long-term work. The Greater Villeneuvois agglomeration had worked underwater, as soon as the Covid crisis emerged, to convince the family business to set up this leisure park in the bastide. In the fall of 2022, the Dantesque construction site could start on the plot wedged between the Villeneuvois health center and the Romas ZAC. The Vergne brothers' company invested 5 million euros in this Vertigo on the banks of the Lot, growing the two other “brands” associated with the concept, namely the beer cellar and the restaurant. “The strength is the synergy between the three entities, each has its specialty” continues Manoah Cayuela. When the children are working out in the trampoline area, parents can discover a beer among the 500 references and chat before everyone sits down at the table. “A place like that was missing for families. During the holidays, we had a lot of grandparents for example” assures the manager of Vertigo Villeneuvois.

Children are at the center of the strategy. “The pillar is birthdays” explains Manoah Cayuela. Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday are of course popular in terms of attendance, with leisure centers and Youth Centers also coming. After the All Saints' Day holidays and its “wave” of customers looking for entertainment, Vertigo will attack its “high season”. Fall and winter are the peak of activity. The team of around thirty employees, under the leadership of Manoah, will not be idle. “And we are always looking for more” supports the young 28-year-old manager, nursed and trained in the “Vertigo mentality”. To welcome visitors at reception or ensure supervision of children, it takes a lot of people to keep the establishment running 7 days a week.

“Villeneuvois have not yet discovered the place!”

A successful launch, certainly, but management does not intend to rest on its laurels. Some customers, from the Lot valley and even beyond, have their habits. “But there are still many Villeneuvois who have not yet discovered the places” smiles the Villeneuvois director. Special events, particularly at the Cervoiserie, will take place over the coming weeks to attract the curious. But those responsible see further. “We are going to diversify further” reveals Manoah Cayuela. He will not say more, other than that it will not be “before mid-2025”. The rooms are not yet in use, and there is still some land left around the large building on the Route de Fumel. A necessary development to sustainably transform the test for the Vertigo Park in Villeneuve.