Colin Dawson Open to Question


CD: We have made enormous progress on how we assess and respond in matters of safety. Our industry has an excellent safety record but there will never be room for complacency. The developments in inspection processes and procedures in the last decade have produced a very encouraging reduction in incidents in the UK and beyond. Our task is to maintain that progress and ensure our reputation on all issues of safety continues to instil confidence and peace of mind in our visitors. We must be prepared to share our experience and strive for universal standards of safety wherever attractions operate in the world.


BALPPA has given me enormous pleasure; the many friends I have made over the years will be sadly missed in my retirement, but again I have many happy memories. If I have left a legacy I hope it is a stronger, more powerful and respected organisation than when I took over nine years ago.


IP: What does the future have in store for the attractions industry as a whole? Is there potential for many more parks, will visitor demographics change significantly, will more “corporates” come into the business, will different forms of entertainment be required at venues to maintain interest?


CD: So what of the future for this great industry of ours? My crystal ball is a bit cloudy from overuse, but I am sure it is not indicative of the industry’s future. As far as the UK is concerned I doubt that we will see any new theme parks of significant size developed, the market is pretty mature. As for other forms of visitor attraction, I am sure we will see more innovation. The challenge of expanding markets is one this industry has proved to be worthy of accepting and with our visitor base proving positively reactive to new developments I am sure there is more to come.


Personally speaking


With TV character Del Boy look-a-like at the BALPPA Annual Dinner on the Thames, London, 2008.


IP: If you could pick out just a few, what will you remember as some of the highlights of your career in the parks industry?


CD: I have been very fortunate in enjoying a number of memorable moments during my career in the industry. My time at Thorpe Park was without doubt the most satisfying and enjoyable experience. Being the only leisure business in a large multi-national allowed me a great degree of freedom in our operation policies. I inherited a superb team of people and together we moved the park forward on a number of fronts, not the least of those being in the standard of staff recruitment and induction training, staff image and customer care. We were never nervous of trying new policies, such as the introduction of a staff crèche to encourage mothers to return to work. But perhaps the most memorable occasions were the two consecutive years the late Princess Diana, together with William and Harry, visited the park on Easter Saturday. That really did provide a great buzz to every member of staff.


18


Not a lot of people know this but I am quite good at …clay pigeon shooting


The best thing my parents taught me was … to treat others as you would wish to be treated


When I was a child I wanted to be … a police detective


The most interesting place I have ever visited is … Masada in Israel


If I could pass a law today I would … make people more responsible for their personal actions when on our parks


I always laughed at … the late Tommy Cooper, even before he opened his mouth


My favourite band is … The Who (what a surprise)


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