Popular crazy golf courses in the UK briefly entered administration earlier this month (Image: The Hole In Wand Leeds/Facebook)
Popular crazy golf courses in the UK briefly entered administration earlier this month. The wizard-themed attractions are run by York-based parent company The Potions Cauldron Ltd, which officially went into administration on Friday, April 10, 2026. Joint administrators from the London financial group BTG were appointed after the business entered what was described as a “distressed position”.
The Potions Cauldron Ltd was founded in 2018 by Phil Pinder and Ben Fry. It is known as a “magical drinks emporium” and entertainment company, specialising in wizard-themed retail and immersive experiences. Its brands include The Potions Cauldron apothecary shops, The Potions Academy potion-making classes, The Potions Express retail kiosk at York Station and its flagship crazy golf chain, The Hole In Wand.
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The Hole In Wand operates nine-hole wizard-themed mini-golf courses (Image: The Hole In Wand Leeds/Facebook)
The Hole In Wand operates nine-hole wizard-themed mini-golf courses where players receive a complimentary magical potion drink at the end of their round.
The company runs courses in York, Blackpool, Chester, Leeds and Seaham.
The York site is located in Coppergate Walk near the JORVIK Viking Centre, Blackpool is on the Promenade, Chester is on Eastgate Street, Leeds is in the St John’s Centre and Seaham is at Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Centre .
Despite entering administration, all the brands were immediately rescued in a pre-pack deal on the same day.
A newly formed company, The Potions Group Ltd, bought the business, saving between 72 and 80 jobs across the group.
Despite entering administration, all the brands were immediately rescued in a pre-pack deal (Image: The Hole In Wand Leeds/Facebook)
All of the English Hole In Wand golf courses and retail sites continue to trade as normal. The only closure was The Potions Cauldron Edinburgh on Rose Street, which opened in May 2023 and resulted in four redundancies.
In a statement, the new company said that “all monies to the company’s local suppliers, contractors and partners were up to date at the time of ceased trading.”
The brand names will continue under the new structure, including The Potions Academy and The Hole In Wand.
Mr Fry and Mr Pinder remain involved in the new company, while Stuart Jarman continues as managing director.
All of the English Hole In Wand golf courses and retail sites continue to trade as normal (Image: The Hole In Wand Leeds/Facebook)
Mr Jarman said: “It is no surprise that there have been many challenges, particularly over the last 12 months for businesses within the leisure, tourism and hospitality sector from rising staff and utility costs, business rates increases, and footfall in key UK tourism markets.
“I am sure that there will be further challenges that lie ahead, but we will be making significant changes to practices to ensure that we are stronger placed for the future.”
The company has won multiple awards since launching in October 2018 and now operates eight remaining outlets, five under The Hole In Wand brand and three under The Potions Cauldron brand.
Websites, venue locations and bookings remain unchanged, and the business has confirmed it will continue trading without disruption to customers.