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2017: General Discussion
Skyscraper
TS Member
Rob
TS Team
So they found a problem during the routine opening checks?
More than likely, seeing as that is the reason why said checks take place!
Jonathan
TS Member
I'd hazard a guess at there being a lot of demand for Scarefest and Fireworks across the Resort as a whole, and they decided they'd be better off to open Splash up. Plus this means (in theory, at least) there'll be another bar open for Fireworks, which I ain't complaining about at all!
Rick
TS Member
The demand is already there, it's reactive not proactive
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Rick
TS Member
Alton Towers to outsource more than 200 housekeeping jobs
http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/local-news/alton-towers-outsource-more-200-378282
http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/local-news/alton-towers-outsource-more-200-378282
Disgusting the way they are treating their staff - Take the £100 bonus or fig off according to that article. But hey, as long as their KPI's are being met eh!
Talking of their KPI's - maybe they should take a look at their spa reviews on TripAdvisor since they have built the new hotel. They have nosedived. I went in there myself a few weeks ago and its definitely taken a turn for the worst. No windows now around the jacuzzi, no conservatory, feels very closed in. Nowhere to sit and relax, no drinks unless you go upstairs, and I just cant believe that in all the time its been closed that they havent done any refurbishment work in there!!
delta79
TS Member
This is the unfortunate way businesses are run now. Many businesses have gone down this route. As it says in the article, AT is the last in the merlin group to have the own direct employed hotel cleaning staff.
So the question i have is ' how long have AT resisted the change over'
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So the question i have is ' how long have AT resisted the change over'
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jon81uk
TS Member
I was worried the spa would feel bad as it they weren't going ahead with the original plan of moving the log cabin sauna out to the other side and opening up some windows on the side facing enchanted village. I did then expect the atmosphere to not be as nice and was wondering what they might do to fix the lack of seating, but it doesn't seem like they did much the. Also the whole spa was getting very worn out last time I was there so I was hoping while closed they would do significant renovations but doesn't sound like they took advantage
No they didnt at all. Its exactly the same. I think the steam room has had a lick of paint but thats it. Oh, and they put some bean bags in the dark room with the heated beds in it. They have removed the 2nd sensory shower to make the womens changing rooms larger. The mens is just as small. Its all very dark and claustrophobic in there around the pool. I spoke to a member of staff who agreed they had spoilt it with the new hotel. They are building an outdoor patio area which over looks the entrance to CBeebies and the "posh" lodges, even still, I dont know why they didnt extend a new conservatory out along the side of the new hotel where they have room.
jon81uk
TS Member
The mens changing room was horrific last time we were there (November 2015), they really need to rebuild the changing spaces from scratch. The conservatory space could have kept the glass roof I think and just altered the layout but instead they seem to keeping the whole spa on life support rather than re-inventing it properly. They don't need a full size pool so there is nothing stopping them commiting to removing the pool and putting better jacuzzis and spa pools in and using some of the old pool space for seating. They just don't want to spend the money despite the fact they could charge more for improved facilities.
Poopoohead
TS Member
Any updates on the mine train availability?
themeparkfan
TS Member
It was closed yesterday with a fair few kids let down. I hope the hotel informed families about this so they were aware. However as usual no update on website. Just another example of poor offering and operations this year
On another note I noticed a kid and dad playing with one of those small dogs on the submission grass. Great job on the bag searching!
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On another note I noticed a kid and dad playing with one of those small dogs on the submission grass. Great job on the bag searching!
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Tim
TS Member
I never understand why they outsource jobs. Surely the whole point of being a multinational cooperation is that you can hire your own dedicated teams. By outsourcing aren't they also having to pay a middle man (the company they are outsourcing to) to get the same job done, making it more expensive?
I'm sure there is a good reason why they do it I just don't understand it...
BarryZola
TS Member
This does stink a bit. I know that this was initially brought up several days ago, I just didn't get around to reading it. I had other things on my mind. Anyhow:
Labour councillor Chris Wood, chairman of the service delivery overview & scrutiny panel at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, said: “I am disappointed to be honest. I can only assume that this is a cost saving measure.
“I would urge the nearly 220 employees to look at their new contracts and the terms and conditions in these contracts.
“I go to Alton Towers with family and all of the workers do a fantastic job but there is no loyalty to staff anymore. If you do a good job you can still be replaced with someone to save a few quid.
"The council will be looking into this.”
I suppose that there is only so much that the Labour councillor Chris Wood can do, but I would hope that he would apply as much pressure on Merlin as possible for his constituents.
This is the time for their union to step up, if they have one, who aren't under the thumb, like some others. This (in my opinion) will be a further push towards more flexible contracts within the company where less people will be able to actually have a proper full-time hours contract. It is absolutely dire for existing staff morale and a £100 'bonus' for being 'flexible' is an absolute insult. Chris Wood should remind Merlin that Alton Towers is located in a unique area and that the staff currently employed there should be afforded a decent contract accordingly.
There are money saving measures, but some take the piss a bit, like this one.
Labour councillor Chris Wood, chairman of the service delivery overview & scrutiny panel at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, said: “I am disappointed to be honest. I can only assume that this is a cost saving measure.
“I would urge the nearly 220 employees to look at their new contracts and the terms and conditions in these contracts.
“I go to Alton Towers with family and all of the workers do a fantastic job but there is no loyalty to staff anymore. If you do a good job you can still be replaced with someone to save a few quid.
"The council will be looking into this.”
I suppose that there is only so much that the Labour councillor Chris Wood can do, but I would hope that he would apply as much pressure on Merlin as possible for his constituents.
This is the time for their union to step up, if they have one, who aren't under the thumb, like some others. This (in my opinion) will be a further push towards more flexible contracts within the company where less people will be able to actually have a proper full-time hours contract. It is absolutely dire for existing staff morale and a £100 'bonus' for being 'flexible' is an absolute insult. Chris Wood should remind Merlin that Alton Towers is located in a unique area and that the staff currently employed there should be afforded a decent contract accordingly.
There are money saving measures, but some take the piss a bit, like this one.
Dave
TS Founding Member
You tend to outsource when Your demand for the role isn't stable; in the case of hotel cleaners the number you require depends on how many rooms are sold and this can be hard to predict far in advance. The benefit with outsourcing is for the hotel itself you only pay for the staff when you need them, and the benefit for the outsourcing company is instead of only having 1 hotel to try and predict for, you have lots of hotels so can maintain a bigger staffing base that can be more efficiently distributed based on demand (different hotel services have different peak times, some are busy midweek as they support business staff and tourist hotels are busier weekends).
The darker side of it is non-brand agencies are less worried about low wages and horrid T&C's than those companies who have a brand that can be impacted by a Daily Mirror story about low pay.
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