A new business which helps sports enthusiasts find the ideal facilities to play in has been launched by two friends from Fulham.
MyLocalPitch.com was set up by childhood friends Jamie Foale and Sandford Loudon, both 29, after they became frustrated with the difficulties involved in arranging a game of football, and provides a platform for people to search and book any sports venue at no extra cost.
The business, which is based in Shepherd’s Bush, was launched in January last year, and is proving popular with venues that recognise the value of increased exposure and better ease of use for sports players.
It currently has over 1,000 venues on its sites for athletics, cricket, cycling, football, golf, gym, hockey, netball, rowing, rugby, squash swimming and tennis.
Jamie, who lives off Fulham Road in Fulham, said: “We would find it very hard to get in touch with the guys that take bookings for sports venues. It was difficult to get hold of them and they wouldn’t return calls or emails.
“There are 2.5m people playing sports once a week and it’s still hard to make bookings and find sports venues.
“We thought that was a big gap in the market that should be rectified.”
The firm now employs eight full-time staff, and Mr Foale, who also set up a family furniture and print company in Hammersmith & Fulham, said business is good: “We have been growing quickly. We’re working with some of the biggest names on the grassroots landscape and extending throughout London.”
He said the site is simple to use and similar to another popular platform: “It’s like AirBnB for sports. Users come to the site, select a sport, enter a location and hit the search button.
“It lists the nearest and best pitches for you that you can book. It’s quite simple to use.”
The website lists venues throughout west and north-west London.
