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Lightwater Valley
Poisson
TS Member
And teenagers up would be bored, hence it's a children's park. Maybe slightly older children, but still children.
LWV can and seemingly are implementing the same strategy, just slightly younger than Paultons, probably more on par with Wheelgate
owenstreet7
TS Member
I'd say it is a completely different strategy to be honest with Paultons, Drayton and Chessington.
Lightwater Valley are adding children's and family rides that are secondhand from other parks or in the fair circuit in unthemed areas whilst Paultons, Drayton and Chessington are focusing more on permanent park models with themed areas.
There is also a focus on family thrill which Lightwater Valley is not currently going for right now.
I really don't think we should class Paultons as being in the same boat as Lightwater Valley as it is practically very similar to Chessington.
Themeparksandy1981
TS Member
The big difference is that Alton Towers and Drayton Manor were less than a hours drive away from the American adventure so in the early 90’s it was the go to place as it was really the 1st true themed theme park but they never added to it and Alton Towers opened there SW coasters and Drayton also added top rides and the American adventure got left behind.
JMW
TS Member
Days after Pleasurewood Hills' sale, RideRater have found that Lightwater Valley is/was listed for sale at a guide price of £3 million.
The listing has since been pulled, but you can still view it here, including an attached PDF.
The PDF provides an interesting look at the visitor numbers since 2018 - showing that they didn't particuarly have much of an attendance hit following the removal of the thrill rides:
Brighton Pier Group bought the park back in 2021 for £5m, suggesting their management of the park has decreased its value by £2m (their only actions of notoriety being the short-lived Zyklon coaster, removing Eagles Claw and destroying the Ultimate). The holiday lodges STILL haven't materialised, which they gained planning permison for years back, and from statements at the time, were a big reason why the group bought the park.
The dream would be for a European operator such as Compagnie des Alpes or Grupa Ptak to see development opportunity and gain a foothold in the UK... but realistically I suppose a more local name is more likely, similar to the Stokes family taking over PWH. Mellors could be good? I hope the future is bright.
The listing has since been pulled, but you can still view it here, including an attached PDF.
The PDF provides an interesting look at the visitor numbers since 2018 - showing that they didn't particuarly have much of an attendance hit following the removal of the thrill rides:
Brighton Pier Group bought the park back in 2021 for £5m, suggesting their management of the park has decreased its value by £2m (their only actions of notoriety being the short-lived Zyklon coaster, removing Eagles Claw and destroying the Ultimate). The holiday lodges STILL haven't materialised, which they gained planning permison for years back, and from statements at the time, were a big reason why the group bought the park.
The dream would be for a European operator such as Compagnie des Alpes or Grupa Ptak to see development opportunity and gain a foothold in the UK... but realistically I suppose a more local name is more likely, similar to the Stokes family taking over PWH. Mellors could be good? I hope the future is bright.
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It has plenty of rides, just no thrill ones.
Affluent area, well known park in the north, massive potential, room for expansion, infrastructure, including lake and train ride already in place.
It will sell, and if invested in as it should have been post T'Ultimate, it could be a huge success as a Centre Parks style resort.
Affluent area, well known park in the north, massive potential, room for expansion, infrastructure, including lake and train ride already in place.
It will sell, and if invested in as it should have been post T'Ultimate, it could be a huge success as a Centre Parks style resort.
Themepark-newbie
TS Member
Sorry... they're selling the park as a business on RightMove??
KolonelKlink
TS Member
£3 million is a bargain when you consider the much smaller Dinosaur Park in Tenby - with about a quarter of the visitorship - is currently on the market for £4.5 million:
www.bbc.co.uk
Tenby Dinosaur Park: 'We're the fossils now,' say retiring owners
The long-running Pembrokeshire attraction is on the market for the first time, priced at £4.5m.
www.bbc.co.uk
There's drone videos linked to that listing including one of a firework show for some reason https://avisonyoung.app.box.com/s/1y3nd989pgibni2r22ahi9zr5sg5akor/folder/327451211715
The Lynch Effect
TS Member
Listed here now, if someone put some investment on the place it could be good again. That won’t likely happen though.
propertylink.estatesgazette.com
A Leisure Property For Sale In North Stainley, HG4 3NB | For Sale | 182 Acre
Speak to our commercial property experts for info & related market insights about this leisure property for sale in North Stainley, HG4 3NB occupying 182 Acre
propertylink.estatesgazette.com
I'm not sure the lease terms are particularly attractive, they have less than 30 in the current leasehold. It doesn't scream long term investment.Listed here now, if someone put some investment on the place it could be good again. That won’t likely happen though.
A Leisure Property For Sale In North Stainley, HG4 3NB | For Sale | 182 Acre
Speak to our commercial property experts for info & related market insights about this leisure property for sale in North Stainley, HG4 3NB occupying 182 Acre
Other way around I think, 72 years left on the lease.
Enter Valhalla
TS Member
I have no idea where I saw the figures (perhaps someone can help me with this?) but I read, possibly on this forum many years ago, that in the early years that The Ultimate went in, the gate figures didn’t rise that significantly, or certainly not enough to justify how much time and money was put in to that project.
This makes me think, unfortunately, that perhaps it’s just better suited to being a family park, especially since visitor numbers seems to be stabilising to pre-pandemic, and pre-Ultimate closure levels now.
This makes me think, unfortunately, that perhaps it’s just better suited to being a family park, especially since visitor numbers seems to be stabilising to pre-pandemic, and pre-Ultimate closure levels now.
The Lynch Effect
TS Member
The difference is the entry fee, it’s now over half the cost for entry. The Ultimate did shackle them as it went well over budget, whilst other parks expanded in the 90s they were left stuck to a degree. It really does need some bigger rides though, even if it dies stick to targeting a younger audience.
Theres a clean slate there for someone though, and it’s a beautiful place with tons of potential. The visitor numbers are still there despite it being stripped bare. I do feel it may be a few years too late for the place to bounce back to what it was though.
Theres a clean slate there for someone though, and it’s a beautiful place with tons of potential. The visitor numbers are still there despite it being stripped bare. I do feel it may be a few years too late for the place to bounce back to what it was though.