Puttshack MD Hugh Knowles: ‘If you stand still you go backwards’

Puttshack MD Hugh Knowles is keen to get back in the swing. Having completed a £30m equity raise with lead investor Promethean Investment last June, followed five months later by its third UK site opening in London’s Bank, 2020 had all the promise of a stand-out year for the concept. Its expansion was expected to push on at pace, with a £5m site set to open in Watford, followed by a US rollout in Atlanta, Chicago and Miami. Needless to say things didn’t quite go to plan, and by virtue of the coronavirus crisis the business is currently operating in just two sites – Westfield London and Lakeside Essex – and, alongside the rest of the industry, bracing itself for Boris’ next surprise.