The magnificent Tower Ballroom remains a major feature of Blackpool Tower
hope to achieve (as a result of the regeneration work within the town) would bring in approximately £55m in additional spend to the town. With the help of Merlin and our other partners we will continue to stride forward. Blackpool is changing and today marks a huge step forward for
“This is a red letter day for the Tower and for Blackpool,”
commented Merlin CEO Nick Varney in a speech at the official opening. “It marks the reincarnation of the town, bold words but very true words. Blackpool is rightly claiming to be the entertainment capital of not just the UK but of Europe.” He outlined the various attractions operated by Merlin on
the town’s Golden Mile and noted a “fantastic reaction” to the recently opened Madame Tussauds in Blackpool, which is well ahead of expected visitor numbers. He noted the “four crown jewels” of the Tower, namely the ballroom, circus and now the Blackpool Tower Dungeon and the Blackpool Tower Eye, with its pre-show “which is a great pre-cursor to a trip up the tower and the very modern viewing area at the top.” Varney went on to note that the town has the “biggest
concentration of attractions in Europe” and that Merlin “will do all we can to make the Tower and its attractions and our other attractions in the town a success, as well as the town itself.” Councillor Graham Cain, Blackpool Council’s cabinet
member for tourism and culture, said: “Today is the day that will change Blackpool and what people think of Blackpool forever. This iconic landmark has a special place in people’s hearts. With a clear vision from the council, Merlin was chosen to come in to manage it. Outside London there is no other resort that offers visitors such a wide range of attractions in the UK. Visitor numbers to Blackpool are growing year on year and the additional 800,000 we
its development and regeneration plans.” Talking to InterPark, the head of Merlin’s Blackpool
Cluster (of attractions), Ian Hawkins, revealed that more work was still to be carried out on the Tower, for example to ensure that some of the heritage elements such as stained glass and unique tiled areas are suitably maintained. And he was very optimistic for the future. “Blackpool’s Madame Tussauds is up 25 per cent on
expected visitor numbers while Sea Life is up 10 per cent,” he revealed. “And our combo ticket is also helping to hold people in the resort for longer periods. “A year ago there was a lot of scepticism in what we
were trying to do but people are looking at Blackpool in a different way now.”
ParkWorld_EAS-2011_2_Tower-Rides_Press.pdf 01.09.2011 11:34:11
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