UP CLOSE: With the Macclesfield family behind unique attraction The Viking Axe
Macclesfield Nub News was founded on principles of supporting our community.
This includes promoting Macclesfield shops, companies, charities, clubs and more. Now and then, we profile some of these companies and organisations in a regular feature called UP CLOSE, finding out they key people behind the organisation and what makes them tick.
Recent editions include the baker for a popular Chestergate cafe, a business which recently celebrated their 60th birthday, and the Headteacher of a high-achieving rural school.
Today, we head to a town centre attraction which is a thriving family business. The Viking Axe, on Charlotte Street, will celebrate their fifth anniversary this year.
The Norse-inspired business opened just three years after the first commercial axe-throwing business opened in the UK.
Andrew Mayo, Vanessa Mayo and Danae Mayo are the family trio behind the attraction.
Macclesfield Nub News went down to The Viking Axe to find out why axe-throwing is so popular.
Andrew Mayo has been throwing axes since he was a boy. He explained the origins of the business.
"It was a joke to start with", said Andrew.
"I was in a position where I found myself unemployed, and that age was against me. I am also computer illiterate.
"I joked to Vanessa on occasion that 'Maybe I should just start teaching people to throw axes', and at some point it no longer became a joke and we created this concept."
Andrew spent a long-career as a cabinet maker, and his has transferred his skills to create almost every thing in their axe throwing room.
The room is decorated with Viking-style crowns, weapons and lighting.
As the throwing room has no windows, it makes axe-throwing a great activity to relax, and switch-off from the outside world.
"For me, axe-throwing is a fun pastime," explained Andrew.
"But for those that come in, axe-throwing gives people a great sense of achievement.
"It is massively relaxing, because you turn off your thinking. People report back and say 'Isn't this just the coolest thing?'
"Everybody that comes in, comes in with a certain degree of trepidation, because they are not sure what they are coming into. But they always go away with a smile on their face and are chilled out."
For some, the axe-throwing is more than just therapeutic, the Macclesfield company host a competitive axe-throwing league with prizes to win.
Axe throwing as a recreational activity originated in America and Canada where lumberjacks would play with their tools out of hours.
The Viking Axe's throwing is a lot safer than how the sport's outdoorsy origins sound, they use different axes where the handles can move. And it's warmer too, with this being a fully indoor attraction.
Safety protocols includes sanitising all of the equipment, and having a zero tolerance policy on drinking alcohol before your session.
"For our safety, when we got in touch with our first insurers they said 'What you have done with safety is outstanding'," recalled Andrew.
"They wanted to use us as a model. Each lane is independently separated, and groups are between eight to twelve people. The most important thing for us is their safety, and they leave with a smile on their face.
"Large groups can be booked, but they just rotate throwing every 20 minutes, which creates quite a nice atmosphere as we have people waiting in our snug, where you can discuss how you did in the first round, then they swap over."
And since many who attend are celebrating something, balloons and party poppers can be added to the targets.
These mini-games also keep things fresh for repeat customers.
Over Christmas and New Year, The Viking Axe had their busiest week ever, with many families getting together to give it a go.
"We have hen parties, birthdays, regulars who come in groups," added Andrew.
"We have people with SEND come, and can even cater to people who are blind. [With extra equipment to help them.] We have people who are registered blind who actually get bullseyes."
Those aged 13 and over can take part in the fun. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.
Be sure to book far in advance, as they are only open five days a week, and sessions fill-up quickly.
"Men tend to pick it up faster but the women become so much better and just start owning it," Andrew has observed.
"You can see it in their face, you see that focus. They are usually better."
Whilst business from stag dos and celebrations have remained constant, particularly post-COVID, the business has seen a huge increase in corporate bookings.
As people are seeing less of each other in the office, where work from home is an option, getting everyone together to meet and bond through this feelgood activity has become common.
Some are even meeting for the first time, but leave having bonded over the sport and have had photos together.
"What surprised me is the fact that everybody throws an axe really differently," said Danae.
"You'd think it was just a simple case of throwing something, but as we of course have to watch people, you notice that every person throw differently.
"Which goes to show that it doesn't matter how you throw it, and makes it an easy activity to learn."
As a tribute to the cold Nordic weather, The Viking Axe have froze their prices during the cost of living crisis.
In fact, it costs £18 to book a session, which has been the same since they opened in 2019.
Despite being Maxonians, Andrew has spent a lifetime fascinating with Norse culture.
The throwing lanes are named after Norse gods like Odin, God of War.
The family dog is also named Loki, who is an adorable rescue dog from Ireland that is able to pet between rounds of throwing.
Punters on average throw 150 axes in an hour, with no more than three people taking turns to share a lane.
New additions include a special box of axes of various shapes and sizes, with some Andrew has made himself.
The business does their bit for charity with a collection pot for the North West Air Ambulance Charity.
The Viking Axe is open Wednesday to Sunday from 3pm to 9pm.
You can follow the business on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.
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