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Alton Towers for Sale?

A

Ash

TS Member
4fd70e953f6749255d1ed608787197d1.jpg


New T&C added back in July…

Also added to other Merlin parks.

(Courtesy of the European Coaster Club)
 
Ash said:
4fd70e953f6749255d1ed608787197d1.jpg


New T&C added back in July…

Also added to other Merlin parks.

(Courtesy of the European Coaster Club)
Click to expand...
This isn't news, it was added in August 2024 and we had this discussion then. I even, very graciously, wrote a script draft for all of the vloggers at the time:
GooseOnTheLoose said:
WHICH MERLIN THEME PARK COULD BE CLOSING FOREVER?

*Blurred photo of the Alton Towers entrance and question mark in thumbnail*

Vlog Script:

Host: Hello and welcome to Themed Parks Globally! Today we're about to dive into some serious theme park industry news. Merlin Entertainments, the behemoth behind Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Legoland and a whole bunch of other theme parks and world wide attractions, has just dropped a bombshell in an email sent out to passholders today.

Now, I'm talking about more than just a new rollercoaster here. We're talking about a potential game-changer for the entire theme park industry. Merlin has basically given itself carte blanche to do whatever it wants with its parks.

Let's break the email down They've expanded their powers to remove "Attractions" from the Platinum Pass scheme. Now, when they say "Attractions," they're not just talking about that lame kiddie ride in the corner. This could mean anything from a single coaster to an entire park, or midway. They could close down Alton Towers tomorrow, or even Madame Tussaud's.

It's like they're playing Monopoly, but with our favorite theme parks as the properties. They can buy, sell, or even demolish them at will. They can remove them entirely from your pass. And the worst part? They can do it for any reason they want. Technical difficulties? Sure. Safety concerns? Absolutely. Want to build a new hotel? Well, maybe an old park has to go first.

This is a massive power grab and shows that Merlin has too much power. It's a wake-up call for all of us. We need to cherish these parks now more than ever, maybe even make a sign and cancel our annual passes. Who knows what the future holds?

So, what do you think? Is this the beginning of the end for some of our beloved theme parks? Hit that like button, drop a comment, and remember... Always be riding!

[End screen with call to action to subscribe and like the video]
Click to expand...
 
None of the operators have never fully owned the land at Alton Towers.

It's very different from Chessington ownership
 
AltonLover123 said:
He’s quite right in that Merlin do not own the land at AT. They lease and operate it.
Click to expand...
1) He said "None of the operators have never fully owned the land at Alton Towers." - None have never literally means all have. His statement literally means that all of the operators have fully owned the land at Alton Towers, which is technically correct.

2) He probably meant that "None of the operators have ever fully owned the land at Alton Towers", which is incorrect. All of the operators of Alton Towers, as a theme park, have at one point owned the land. Merlin sold the land shortly after they acquired it, to fund the buyout of Tussauds, but they had to own it to sell it.
 
Further, the fact Merlin don’t own the land that Alton Towers sits on, doesn’t mean they cannot sell Alton Towers.

They own the brand, the rides, the lease to the land, the buildings, the hotels etc etc.

This narrative that leasing the land means they don’t ’own Alton Towers’ is false and frustrating given how often it comes up.
 
I have saw people say they used the Wayback Machine and it's been like this since July. And it's on e.g. Chessington's too.

In my opinion this is Merlin updating the TOS after spotting a gap in it when tending the sale of the Blackpool attractions. Don't really think it means anything to do with any impending sale.
 
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