attractionS & muSeumS


Beamish Museum set to break visitor record


Te Beamish Museum in Durham, UK, is set to welcome more than 500,000 during its 2012-13 financial year, its best result in more than 20 years. In the 10-month period between February


and November the social history museum has already welcomed 451,108 visitors, regu- larly attracting more than 2,500 a day. One of the museum’s fastest growing demo- graphics is local, low-income families. Despite the increase in numbers,


the average visitor spend is slightly down, which the museum attributes to the current economic climate and the ongoing pressures on UK consumers. Details: http://lei.sr?a=e9L6l


View from the Shard details revealed


Details of Te View from the Shard visitor experience at London’s tallest skyscraper have been revealed. Due to open on 1 February,


the attraction’s viewing plat- forms will sit on levels 69 and 72 of the 1,016ſt (310m) land- mark building - developed by Sellar Property in associa- tion with LBQ Ltd as part of a £2bn regeneration project for the London Bridge area. Starting at the ground


floor galleries, visitors to Te View from the Shard will be greeted by playful depictions of more than 140 famous Londoners including Boris Johnson, Kate Moss, King Henry VII and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Four liſts, enhanced with video screens and


mirrors to create the effect of soaring through some of London’s most iconic ceilings and roofs, will transport visitors to viewing gal- leries 800ſt (244m) up.


Te attraction towers above central London, offering amazing views At the top, 360-degree views of the city


extending 40m (64km) showcase landmarks such as Alexandra Palace, the Olympic Stadium, Tower of London, Battersea Power Station, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace. Te expe- rience will be enhanced with 12, free to use Tell:scopes - high-tech digital telescopes being used in Europe for the first time.


£1.2m funding for Tullie House Museum


MD Amanda Tompson said the attraction’s figures reflect the difficult economic climate


Blackpool Pleasure Beach sees profits dip during 2012


Blackpool Pleasure Beach is blam- ing gloomy weather and the recession for a £400,000 drop in operating prof- its last year. Annual results for Blackpool Pleasure Beach Holdings, which include the theme park, hotel and South Shore Mutual Insurance Company show the group made a loss of £524,000 in 2012, compared to a profit of £329,000 in 2011. Although sales did increase by 7 per cent to £31.6m, this was still below predictions. Managing director, Amanda Tompson,


said: “Te directors consider the extent to which the increase in visitor numbers and average spend per head was less than bud- get partially reflects the difficult economic climate. Since weather during the key 2011 season was materially worse than that of 2010, this is the main reason for the short- fall in sales compared to budget. Cost increases, which included expen-


diture to further improve experience for our guests were in line with bud- get and, as a result operating profit was down by £400,000 on last year’s results.” Details: http://lei.sr?a=w5q3c


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Cumbria’s Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery has secured £1.2m funding from the Carlisle City Council for the next financial year, with funding for subsequent years to be negotiated. In a report to the council’s


executive the museum said it aimed to attract 300,000 visitors over the course of a year, but said this would be unlikely to happen without a major investment. During the 2011-12 finan-


cial year 252,543 visitors passed through its doors. In addition to developing existing and new audi- ences the museum said it wanted to develop its collections and make them more relevant to visitors, and invest in staff and business development and generating income.


Te gallery aims to attract more than 300,000 visitors each year The visitor attraction, which is located


on Castle Street in Carlisle city centre, transferred to the Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery Trust in June 2011. Details: http://lei.sr?a=k2x3K


Private operator considered for Tyneside lighthouse


North Tyneside Council is considering appointing a private operator to run St Mary’s Island and visitor centre in Whitley Bay. Te iconic site, with a lighthouse, attracts up to 80,000 visitors each year and offers a range


Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital


of activities and events. However, it is in need of investment and modernisation. Te council plans to retain ownership, but is


considering offering the lighthouse on a lease for at least five years.


Twitter: @leisureopps © Cybertrek 2013


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