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news & jobs at www.leisureopportunities.co.uk Donington appoints new leaseholders


Worcestershire-based Adroit Group secures deal to operate motor racing venue By Luke Tuchscherer


New leaseholders have been appointed at the Donington Park motor racing circuit, near Kegworth, Leicestershire. Kevin Wheatcroft – son of


the late owner Tom Wheatcroft – has signed an agreement with Worcestershire-based property investment specialist the Adroit Group in a bid to restore the circuit to its former glory. Donington has been part of


British motor racing for 80 years, but in recent times it found itself mired in opera- tional and financial turmoil. When it was awarded the British Grand Prix ahead of Silverstone, it could not live up to expectations and ended up bankrupt in the process. Adroit managing director


David Broome said: "It is a big task and no one is under any illusions about that. We intend to bring the site back up to a


Vue to open Dublin cinema


Vue Entertainment is to open a new multiplex cinema at the new Spring Cross development in Ballymun, Ireland. The nine-screen site will


form part of an E800m (£663m) mixed-use development project in north Dublin, led by Treasury Holdings and designed to boost the regeneration of the area. A leisure offer – com-


prising restaurants, a bowling alley and a public library – is included in the scheme, with work due to get underway on phase one of the development in the middle of next year.


© Cybertrek 2010 IN BRIEF Watton (left), Broome and Wheatcroft (right) secure the new deal


world class standard. The entire site needs attention, while much of it will require a total overhaul – from the track itself to the medical centre, hospital- ity suites, phone, radio and PA systems, IT systems CCTV and general ground work. "There is no magic wand, but


through a calm, cautious, credible and sensible approach, we know that we have the experience, expertise and


commitment to bring the glory years back to Donington." Wheatcroft added: "We feel


that we have found the right people to move Donington forward into a new and exciting future. "David and Steve [Watton,


Adroit operations director] impressed us from the first time we met them and we have every confidence in their ability and vision for Donington."


Aerial plans new rope courses By Pete Hayman


Aerial Extreme plans to open two new urban high rope courses – one in Sheffield and one in Manchester. The group already operates


courses at Knowsley Safari Park, Merseyside; Willen Lake in Milton Keynes; the Trentham Estate in Staffordshire and Bedale, North Yorkshire. According to Aerial Extreme,


the new courses – at iceShef- field and the Trafford Centre – are due to be open in time for the summer holidays, with the Sheffield site to be opened first. Aerial Extreme managing


director Sinan Osman said: "We are bringing high ropes courses to the city, making it easier for


The new ropes course starts to take shape at iceSheffield


adventurers of all ages to experience this urban activity." Mandy Parker, general


manager of iceSheffield, added: "The course will be a great addition to the family fun activities available at iceShef- field and perfectly complement the sessions we already offer on the ice pads."


Fun Fair Brewery acquires its first pub The Fun Fair Brewery Company has bought the freehold of the "Chequers Inn" near Nottingham. The acquisition, through property agents Christie + Co., is the company's first pub. The two-storey property – in the village of Elston – comprises a 35-cover main bar, a five-cover snug, 10-space car park, beer patio, a storage shed and three-bedroom owner's accommodation. The pub was reopened by its new owners on 4 June. The Fun Fair Brewery Company is owned by David Tizard and Abigail Cutts and was established in 2004 by Tizard at his former freehold public house, "The Wheel" at Holbrook, Derbyshire. Initially a 2.5-barrel microbrewery, it expanded to five-barrel capacity in 2006, when it was relocated to larger premises. The company's beers include Brandy Snap and Dive Bomber.


'Dinner in the Sky' at the Edinburgh Festival Festival in the Sky, a 22-seat


table suspended 100ft (30.5m) above the ground, will offer visitors the chance to try a new dining experience at this year's Edinburgh Festival. The concept, which is being organised by marketing agency DADA Ventures, will be sited in the specially-created Sky Gardens at West Princes Street Gardens and will run between 1 and 31 August. A fully-heated dining table with weather-proof canopy is designed to offer unique views of the city and surrounding area, with each of the 22 seats able to turn on a 180-degree axis. DADA managing director Oli Norman said: "There's no doubt that


'Festival in the Sky' will be one of the biggest and most talked about attractions at the Edinburgh Festival this year."


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