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2021: General Discussion
jon81uk
TS Member
Its Alton Towers commissioning them and instructing them on what to do.
I know, but Leek signs also seem to take a lot of pride in their work.
MaxPower
TS Member
Especially when they have studios north on site.Leek Signs do appear to be very good at what they do. It is just a pity that Alton Towers sometimes end up using a signage company for 'theming'. Biggest case in point is what was the photo booth on Towers Street.
jon81uk
TS Member
I do wonder if the original sign is under the box.Biggest case in point is what was the photo booth on Towers Street.
although printed photos are not as popular now there are digital options. hopefully the turret can get a new use instead soon.
WickerwomanH
TS Member
Makes me sad that the signs are never hand painted anymore, they feel so much more authentic and high quality when they are
jon81uk
TS Member
Makes me sad that the signs are never hand painted anymore, they feel so much more authentic and high quality when they are
I don't know when we last had any hand painted signs? Got to be at least 20 years ago.
WickerwomanH
TS Member
Ones I'm thinking of are the old monorail signs I saw in a TPWW video. I know it was a while ago that is was the norm and its a small thing I just think it's sadI don't know when we last had any hand painted signs? Got to be at least 20 years ago.
Skyscraper
TS Member
Remember that signs like these are exposed to all manner of weather, and thus need to be robust in order to last longer. Vinyls are popular as they are completely weatherproof. Hand-painted signs would need extra protection from the elements to help them last longer.
it’s just a guess but maybe they kept a lot of staff on furlough until last minute in case the park couldn’t open.
I'm not familiar with the precise in's & out's of the working of the furlough scheme. However my understanding is you cannot hire someone then put them onto furlough shortly after hire. You should delay the recruitment.
The vast majority of the staff at Towers are seasonal, who would typically start 2-3 weeks before the park is due to open so they can go through all the relevant training. This training would be delivered by non-seasonal staff who could have been on furlough and bought back into service say 4 weeks before the planned opening date.
Had the Covid roadmap changed & the park not been allowed to open on 12th April, I guess the seasonal staff would have been up the creek [you know the one I'm referring to]. They are on zero hour contracts & due to their hire date they would be in-eligible for furlough. I'm glad the park did get to open, I hasten to say!
Dave
TS Founding Member
I'm not familiar with the precise in's & out's of the working of the furlough scheme. However my understanding is you cannot hire someone then put them onto furlough shortly after hire. You should delay the recruitment.
The vast majority of the staff at Towers are seasonal, who would typically start 2-3 weeks before the park is due to open so they can go through all the relevant training. This training would be delivered by non-seasonal staff who could have been on furlough and bought back into service say 4 weeks before the planned opening date.
Had the Covid roadmap changed & the park not been allowed to open on 12th April, I guess the seasonal staff would have been up the creek [you know the one I'm referring to]. They are on zero hour contracts & due to their hire date they would be in-eligible for furlough. I'm glad the park did get to open, I hasten to say!
The staff who work on maintenance tend to be permanent, it’s F&B and rides that are more heavily seasonal.
Skyscraper
TS Member
10 mins of glorious Mixtape footage 
Cannot wait to ride it in May!
Cannot wait to ride it in May!
Last edited:
ChristmasPud
TS Member
Not really, it's cos it's cheaper and you can do graphics. Both will fade over time.Vinyls are popular as they are completely weatherproof. Hand-painted signs would need extra protection from the elements to help them last longer.
I miss the hand painted signs too, not necessarily because they were hand painted but because they looked nicer. The vinyls are quite flat. But hey it's a small priority
Matt.GC
TS Member
Has the rusting, fading, scratched and filthy Oblivion queue line been sorted out yet? Other than the shocking state of Duel, the bereft Rapids and appalling area between fountain Square and the CCL "coming soon" fence - that was the most embarrassing area of the park for me last season.
Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk
Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk
Connor98
TS Member
there has been some painting gone on the indoor sections of the queue, but nothing comprehensive. It also looks like the logos on the concrete walls have been repainted. However the queue line is still far from perfect in my eyes.Has the rusting, fading, scratched and filthy Oblivion queue line been sorted out yet? Other than the shocking state of Duel, the bereft Rapids and appalling area between fountain Square and the CCL "coming soon" fence - that was the most embarrassing area of the park for me last season.
Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk
It's been like that all week tbf. It's certainly been a busy easterLooks to be a very busy in the park today with most rides at least an hour wait
Skyscraper
TS Member
Who wants to bet that people have been asking why the indoor attractions are shut 

AT86
TS Member
Question for anyone who has been this week.
When the Retrosquad rides were first announced it was discussed that they would be run by the show people they are hired from as opposed to Towers staff.
Is that actually the case now they are up and running? I ask because there have been various comments I have seen about the slow loading times and low throughputs on these rides, which would surprise me if they are being run by the showmen because they are usually lighting quick at loading etc.
When the Retrosquad rides were first announced it was discussed that they would be run by the show people they are hired from as opposed to Towers staff.
Is that actually the case now they are up and running? I ask because there have been various comments I have seen about the slow loading times and low throughputs on these rides, which would surprise me if they are being run by the showmen because they are usually lighting quick at loading etc.
Skyscraper
TS Member
From footage I've seen it looks like Towers own ride hosts are working on them. Not sure about the ops thoughQuestion for anyone who has been this week.
When the Retrosquad rides were first announced it was discussed that they would be run by the show people they are hired from as opposed to Towers staff.
Is that actually the case now they are up and running? I ask because there have been various comments I have seen about the slow loading times and low throughputs on these rides, which would surprise me if they are being run by the showmen because they are usually lighting quick at loading etc.