Aspro Parks Group (UK)

[SuperMuscleMan]

Oakwoods current owner owns a collection of other attractions (2) and aquariums (7) inside the UK (it mainly operates on mainland Europe)

I wanted to mention on the oakwood thread that in Hastings where it owned three attractions it's recently sold one of them and apparently has been sold to a development group.

Hastings castle (nothing to do with 1066) is being redeveloped but smugglers adventures and Hastings Aquarium still remain part of the group and word is that smugglers underground adventures is having an update..(something it's not had in 20+ years) I take it this is because of the funds freed up from the sale of the castle.

 

[Enter Valhalla]

This is very unusual. I don’t think Aspro has ever sold a park/attraction. They close parks, as we saw with Oakwood and Wasalandia, but as far as I’m aware they’ve never sold a park or attraction.

This was why, when people were talking about buying Oakwood, I always felt that those attempt were in vain. And certainly in the case of Oakwood it don’t surprise me one bit that they refused to sell.

If Aspro are now starting to sell, maybe there’s a small chance we could see new owners for the two Walygator parks. Hope so anyway.

 

[BSwiss]

I don’t believe they ever owned the castle. They just had a contract with the ownership (some form of local authority, I think) to operate it as an attraction. That contract expired in Sept last yr, and hasn’t been renewed.

 

[SuperMuscleMan]

I don’t believe they ever owned the castle. They just had a contract with the ownership (some form of local authority, I think) to operate it as an attraction. That contract expired in Sept last yr, and hasn’t been renewed.

As far as I'm aware they owned the visitor centre. It still surprises me that they gave it up if they did, it's been under their control since I can remember (30 years). With a trio of attractions it's odd.

The ones taking over are definitely on the back foot as it looks like it will be a while before anything is done. (Although it's a pretty unremarkable castle with Bodiam and battle abbey near by).

 

[jon81uk]

I don’t believe they ever owned the castle. They just had a contract with the ownership (some form of local authority, I think) to operate it as an attraction. That contract expired in Sept last yr, and hasn’t been renewed.

Yes Wikipedia says owned by the local authority but can’t find other sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hastings_Castle

Also the borough council were looking for refurbishment proposals last year https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c06lrvz1dx3o

 

[Enter Valhalla]

So, sorry, I’m confused.

1066 is the cave, which Aspro own.

They own the aquarium on Hastings seafront.

That just leaves the castle. What aspect of that attraction are, or were, Aspro involved with?

 

[Thameslink Rail]

Hastings is in a bit of a pickle tourism wise.
The town is currently the most deprived in the South East. As well as Aspro selling, Sheikh Abid Gulzar is trying to offload Hastings Pier (he is currently in court for 150k worth of fraud).

 

[Squiggs]

Yes Wikipedia says owned by the local authority but can’t find other sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hastings_Castle

Also the borough council were looking for refurbishment proposals last year https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c06lrvz1dx3o

The website for the new developments can be found at: https://westhillproject.com/

It all seems a bit odd, but according to various news articles, the demolition of the Castle's old info centre was applied for by Aspro (or at least a company that looks like a subsidiary of Aspro) before their contract expired.

Reading between the lines, it looks like Aspro also put in a bid for the refurb project, but looks to have lost out to a local consortium.