djtruefitt said:To be fair I dont know why Alton has so many shops and food outlets. I mean you often have a shop like the rita one which sells a bit of merch and then drinks and crisps, yet there is a kiosk across from it which sells all the same food (and more), then round the corner is another shop selling all the same food and drinks, go a bit futher and there is a row of vending machines.
Im guessing the places they are closing just dont make much money, I can belive that towers street resturant is empty after midday anyway, and maybe people just dont buy many noodles at the park?
Zak said:Still i'd be pretty pee'd off if I had brought the all day eating wrist band to find all well majority for the food outlets closed or closing early!
LaustithicEvent said:Does anyone think the awful weather this summer (as well as the hideous over pricing) may have played a part in Towers suddenly needing to make all these cutbacks>
Satch said:The park operates as an agent for Merlin Attractions, and are considered part of a budget that is shared between Towers, Chessington and Thorpe Park. As such, none are considered a separate entity on the books, and are a consolidated balance sheet that form a larger financial picture.
The park itself is not losing money, but there is little tangible worth to the park. It operates at a loss, but is not making a loss.
What it seems to me is Merlin are hoping that if all three parks are under one budget, then on the books there can be tighter controls over expenditure. However, all three are far too big to control this and it doesn't work in practice
Aly said:Satch said:The park operates as an agent for Merlin Attractions, and are considered part of a budget that is shared between Towers, Chessington and Thorpe Park. As such, none are considered a separate entity on the books, and are a consolidated balance sheet that form a larger financial picture.
The park itself is not losing money, but there is little tangible worth to the park. It operates at a loss, but is not making a loss.
What it seems to me is Merlin are hoping that if all three parks are under one budget, then on the books there can be tighter controls over expenditure. However, all three are far too big to control this and it doesn't work in practice
That is rather interesting, and also a rather strange set-up as well. I always thought (and would assume) for accounts purposes, and to making the legal structure easier, that in this case Alton Towers Resort Operations Ltd operates (financially) as a stand alone unit which then receives central funding from Merlin Entertainments Operations Ltd for the likes of new attractions etc.
Although part of a larger group, I always assumed ATROL had quite a bit of free reign in terms of how they operate and that their income etc went into their own banks accounts, the books for ATROL then balance with profit etc then being reinvested or transfered to MEOL as appropriate.
Aly said:Satch said:The park operates as an agent for Merlin Attractions, and are considered part of a budget that is shared between Towers, Chessington and Thorpe Park. As such, none are considered a separate entity on the books, and are a consolidated balance sheet that form a larger financial picture.
The park itself is not losing money, but there is little tangible worth to the park. It operates at a loss, but is not making a loss.
What it seems to me is Merlin are hoping that if all three parks are under one budget, then on the books there can be tighter controls over expenditure. However, all three are far too big to control this and it doesn't work in practice
That is rather interesting, and also a rather strange set-up as well. I always thought (and would assume) for accounts purposes, and to making the legal structure easier, that in this case Alton Towers Resort Operations Ltd operates (financially) as a stand alone unit which then receives central funding from Merlin Entertainments Operations Ltd for the likes of new attractions etc.
Although part of a larger group, I always assumed ATROL had quite a bit of free reign in terms of how they operate and that their income etc went into their own banks accounts, the books for ATROL then balance with profit etc then being reinvested or transfered to MEOL as appropriate.
BULBOUS said:Well, I've just been on a very quick mental walk around the park, and there are definitely no less than 30-40 different places to buy food and drinks (excluding vending machines). Granted, a lot of these outlets are shops which sell sweets and drinks and no more, but even if we're only going for more substantial food, (let's say, anything from donuts for a snack up to a pizza buffet if you're just SO HONGRY) you're still looking at about 15 different food venues.
Is there actually any surprise that some of them are hardly making money? Particularly when you've got well known brands on park such as Burger King and Ben & Jerry's, as well as prominent outlets such as Woodcutters, Pizza Pasta and Fried Chicken Co, the outlets hidden away behind rides or with bizarre offerings (eg Spinball Noodles) are bound to experience a drop in custom, and I doubt anyone will really mourn their loss on quiet days.
The Psychoaster said:BULBOUS said:Well, I've just been on a very quick mental walk around the park, and there are definitely no less than 30-40 different places to buy food and drinks (excluding vending machines). Granted, a lot of these outlets are shops which sell sweets and drinks and no more, but even if we're only going for more substantial food, (let's say, anything from donuts for a snack up to a pizza buffet if you're just SO HONGRY) you're still looking at about 15 different food venues.
Is there actually any surprise that some of them are hardly making money? Particularly when you've got well known brands on park such as Burger King and Ben & Jerry's, as well as prominent outlets such as Woodcutters, Pizza Pasta and Fried Chicken Co, the outlets hidden away behind rides or with bizarre offerings (eg Spinball Noodles) are bound to experience a drop in custom, and I doubt anyone will really mourn their loss on quiet days.
Precisely, I don't see why everyone is making such a fuss. The only issue I have with it is the TS Restaurant closure - the rest of them will make little to no difference to the days of anyone whatsoever. "Damn it, won't be going to Alton Towers today because I can't satisfy my noodle craving!" Can anyone conceive that happening?
Satch said:Aly said:Satch said:The park operates as an agent for Merlin Attractions, and are considered part of a budget that is shared between Towers, Chessington and Thorpe Park. As such, none are considered a separate entity on the books, and are a consolidated balance sheet that form a larger financial picture.
The park itself is not losing money, but there is little tangible worth to the park. It operates at a loss, but is not making a loss.
What it seems to me is Merlin are hoping that if all three parks are under one budget, then on the books there can be tighter controls over expenditure. However, all three are far too big to control this and it doesn't work in practice
That is rather interesting, and also a rather strange set-up as well. I always thought (and would assume) for accounts purposes, and to making the legal structure easier, that in this case Alton Towers Resort Operations Ltd operates (financially) as a stand alone unit which then receives central funding from Merlin Entertainments Operations Ltd for the likes of new attractions etc.
Although part of a larger group, I always assumed ATROL had quite a bit of free reign in terms of how they operate and that their income etc went into their own banks accounts, the books for ATROL then balance with profit etc then being reinvested or transfered to MEOL as appropriate.
They did up until their 12/2010 accounts were filed, when trade and assets were sold and transferred to Merlin Attractions
BigAl said:The Psychoaster said:BULBOUS said:Well, I've just been on a very quick mental walk around the park, and there are definitely no less than 30-40 different places to buy food and drinks (excluding vending machines). Granted, a lot of these outlets are shops which sell sweets and drinks and no more, but even if we're only going for more substantial food, (let's say, anything from donuts for a snack up to a pizza buffet if you're just SO HONGRY) you're still looking at about 15 different food venues.
Is there actually any surprise that some of them are hardly making money? Particularly when you've got well known brands on park such as Burger King and Ben & Jerry's, as well as prominent outlets such as Woodcutters, Pizza Pasta and Fried Chicken Co, the outlets hidden away behind rides or with bizarre offerings (eg Spinball Noodles) are bound to experience a drop in custom, and I doubt anyone will really mourn their loss on quiet days.
Precisely, I don't see why everyone is making such a fuss. The only issue I have with it is the TS Restaurant closure - the rest of them will make little to no difference to the days of anyone whatsoever. "Damn it, won't be going to Alton Towers today because I can't satisfy my noodle craving!" Can anyone conceive that happening?
No, but it still looks poor to have these closed-up. Especially at what's supposed to be Britain's flagship theme park. Its even worse when you factor in rides not opening with the park, decaying theming and to even have a ride sbno that's surrounded with metal fencing as if it's not even there, etc... Merlin should never have gotten the park into such a state. Surely they should have seen that having too many people trying to sell you things would eventually backfire?
:/