The previous two years have seen the world impacted in vast and unpredictable ways by the
COVID-19 pandemic, threatening the operations and viability of industries. The outdoor
industry was not immune from this, with a variety of consequences forced upon it. Effects like
the closure of centres, a reduction in staff as well as financial worry were felt, with them
impacting the viability of reopening. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect that
COVID-19 has had on small outdoor adventure activity providers within the United Kingdom
and how they responded to the impacts. The study utilised semi-structured interviews, with 5
managers being interviewed. Respondents were asked how the COVID-19 pandemic affected
their business, the adaptations they made to stay operational, as well as if there were any
positives because of COVID-19. It was found that COVID-19 had a varied impact on outdoor
centres. The initial impact on the industry was high however, this was later reduced due to the
amount of Governmental aid offered. Once released from lockdown, the impacts continued to
reduce with an unprecedented increase in public demand and participation in outdoor sports
once reopening. It was identified through this study that those companies who were able to
adapt and be dynamic in their operations perceived the effects of COVID to be less.
Additionally, although companies have mitigated the short-term consequences, the long-term
consequences are yet to be felt. The respondents commented that the coming few seasons shall
determine the future and true effect of COVID as international travel becomes a possibility
again as well as the interaction with other socioeconomic factors such as the increased cost of
living within the UK.