THE EIGHTIES
34
V.I. Leisure was the company’s flirtation in
1981 with the leisure industry and, more
specifically, its venture with video juke boxes
(VJBs). The idea of backing the newly
emerged pop music videos, to give patrons
of pubs and clubs both visual and audio
enjoyment, was thought to have great
potential. But there were flies in the ointment.
Firstly, there were glitches with the
system’s new technology which proved very
problematic. Secondly, regulations came into
force requiring VJB venues to be licensed as
cinemas, and to have a safety curtain with all
seats bolted down. The arrangements were
clearly impractical for pubs and it took months
to resolve the issue. In that time the company
helping V.I. Leisure to market the machines
suffered severe financial difficulties and,
consequently, distribution ceased.
Adopting a similar philosophical stance as
before in Australia, the Directors decided to
call it a day. They took the wise decision to
pay attention to the industry they knew and to
concentrate on doing what they did best. They
focused on plant hire, restructured the core
business, and gave Depot Managers greater
autonomy to run depots as their own
businesses. Ambition not dented, the Board
also looked at exploiting opportunities
presented by the United States.
(above)
Video Juke Boxes
