From Blue Sky Thinking to Blue Plaques.6 reflections on the future of treasure hunts.

Posted on: 31/07/2020

After a bit of self enforced`blue sky thinking` I have come to the following conclusions about treasure hunts following an assessment of the effects of Covid 19.

1. Indoor treasure hunts: We have been forced indoors, but are now being encouraged to come back out. However, Britain is a place where it occasionally rains! So, with that in mind it has been useful to set up and run our first All In, No Holds Barred Treasure Hunt. These are based indoors and can be used for when you are stuck inside and looking for some original entertainment. This has certainly been a worthwhile adaptation to the situation and without it there would not have been the opportunity to witness a dog dancing Salsa the other day!
2. Don`t forget existing USP`s: Not normally one for jargon, but one of Black Cat Treasure Hunt`s unique selling points is definitely our level of personalisation when compared to other companies. Our personalised hunts are ideal for teambuilding and hen parties and getting to know others in the group better.We may have new normal (uggh), but that doesn`t mean you forget about your old normal if it can still be a key to enjoying an activity.
3.#Never Normal: Black Cat Treasure Hunts certainly endorses the visitBrighton campaign of never normal instead of new normal. Black Cat Treasure Hunt routes include streets others don`t, incorporate fun information that others don`t discover and certainly don`t limit ourselves to rigid themes to force in less interesting clues.
4. Things change though: Daily pronouncements of what is or is not allowed is something that Black Cat will be keeping on top of. We are proud of our treasure hunt challenges in our personalised hunts, but we will monitor if changes are needed. It may involve advising the need for masks or consider avoiding involving other people for the moment. Our Conga around Brighton Pavilion gardens might need to be re-introduced in 2022.
5. Re-Check Routes: Just prior to lockdown Black Cat was able to get around a lot of the routes to check on the current status of questions and answers availability. However, with new regulations and changes to  premises there has been an effect, even on things you would assume would stay the same during the pandemic.For example, in Brighton train station the oversized deckchair (always fun) has been removed (predictable), the piano permanently locked(predictable), the brass plaques commemmorating those who fought in two world wars from the local railways sectioned off so that you can`t really look at them. (less predictable). The good news is that as Black Cat lives in Sussex he can re-walk routes regularly to update when needed.
6. Blue Plaques: Black Cat likes an occasional blue plaque for a fun question on route rather than relying on them, but it`s always quite nice to come across a new one if it`s time for a question. Ones about special ops agents are welcome whilst ones about sheep rustlers interesting.My home town of Seaford has gone blue plaque crazy with three in the same short street, whilst Rye has sarcastic blue plaques saying `Nothing happened here on such and such a date in 1752!`
 When you find one about a glamour witch and spellmaker then you know you have struck gold! The conclusion is that whilst some things change,others (for example putting up blue plaques) stay the same and so long as they add to the enjoyment of the hunt will be included.
We are open for business and ready to adapt to all your treasure hunt requests. Contact us on info@blackccattreasurehunts.co.uk to discuss your booking for either this year or next.