Spinners is a UK-based brand on a mission to refresh the concept of competitive socialising. Combining cocktail-bar ambience with interactive gameplay, their venues in Reading, Plymouth, and Solihull deliver an elevated night out experience. Think bowling, darts, clay shooting, and mini golf - reimagined with a twist of tech, design, and just the right amount of flair.
For Spinners, user engagement doesn’t end at the game lanes. "We noticed the amount of people tagging and sharing us wasn't quite where we wanted it to be," said David Somner, Sales & Marketing Manager. With social reach in mind, they turned to Snap-O-Matic to help bridge the gap between in-person experience and online visibility
From Idea to Installation
Snap-O-Matic wasn’t the first name they came across, but it was the one that made the most sense. "We liked the approach, the flexibility of the booth design, and the client portfolio," David explained. A conversation with Snap-O-Matic's Director Martin, turned into a green light, and booth installations in Reading then Plymouth followed soon after.
Each venue offered its own design puzzle. Reading and Plymouth had spaces that naturally welcomed a booth, while Solihull posed more of a challenge. The solution? Position the booth in an area set aside for private hires—corporate events, Christmas parties, and package add-ons. "That way, it becomes part of our event packages," David said. Smart, subtle, and right on-brand.
Integration Made Easy
"It all seemed too simple," David laughed. But simplicity was the point. Snap-O-Matic handled everything, from the booth’s tech spec and brand wrap, to working around venue hours for installation. Staff were involved early, not just trained, but encouraged to try it for themselves. "Every other third photograph is probably staff members using it," David joked.
Engagement in Action
The real measure of success? Usage. Weekends in Reading saw a spike in booth activity, with return visitors diving in enthusiastically. “It’s been financially positive and adds no stress to operations,” David noted. Spinners is currently refining ways to boost social sharing even further, with ideas like monthly photo competitions being developed to encourage tagging and engagement.
One highlight was a recent content creation day. “It created a real buzz,” said David, recalling how even the crew from a media agency got swept up in the fun. Moments like that aren’t staged, they’re the payoff of good placement and an intuitive user experience.
Booths as a Brand Standard
Snap-O-Matic photobooths are now baked into the Spinners blueprint. "We're integrating them into the early venue planning now," said David. Each new location considers the booth not as an afterthought, but as an essential part of the customer journey.
For venues considering the leap, David offers one piece of advice: "Have your marketing plan ready before install. Launch the booth with a bang."