| The local council in Blackpool has organised Merlin | | | | expected to be in huge demand in the future to |
| Entertainments, global visitor attractions operator, | | | | host a programme of interesting new events. |
| to manage the operations and redevelopment of | | | | These investment plans may possibly attract an |
| the Blackpool Tower complex and Louis Tussauds | | | | additional eight hundred thousand tourists every |
| Waxworks when it formally takes over the | | | | year generating up to £55m more spend right |
| organisations in autumn 2010. In an ambitious step, | | | | across the resort. Improvements to the |
| the Council has concluded the purchase of the | | | | conference amenities at the Winter Gardens, |
| Winter Gardens, the Golden Mile Centre, Louis | | | | residence to the Opera House, are additionally |
| Tussauds and Blackpool Tower structures. The | | | | planned which endeavor to achieve a mid-tier |
| purchases have been made possible following | | | | conferencing resource designed to attract extra |
| winning bids for European and Government | | | | business tourism visits and events to the town |
| funding and £10m from the Council's own funds. | | | | pulling in an estimated two hundred and fify |
| As part of the deal, the Winter Gardens will be | | | | thousand visitors. This is a really innovative and |
| operated alongside Blackpool's three landmark | | | | ground breaking initiative by Blackpool Council, and |
| Piers by Crown Leisure. | | | | a gauge of just how seriously they take the |
| Blackpool is convinced that this is a wonderful deal | | | | future rejuvenation of the resort. From 2011, no |
| securing long-term investment in the resort and is | | | | other UK centre other than London will be able to |
| the culmination of several weeks of negotiations. | | | | offer guests such a unique and broad selection |
| The Council is ambitious for Blackpool and Merlin is | | | | of global attraction brands. This will help take what |
| completely the right choice. Merlin is a worldwide | | | | is already one of the best loved and iconic seaside |
| company and the biggest entertainment name in | | | | destinations in Europe into the premier league. |
| Europe and the UK, and they will bring a few of | | | | Merlin have a long term connection with the town |
| the most iconic attractions in the world to | | | | through SEA LIFE, and the Tower complex offers |
| Blackpool. Merlin's existing UK portfolio comprises | | | | a really interesting and unique location for quite a |
| the Alton Towers Resort, Warwick Castle, | | | | few of their internationally renowned attraction |
| Thorpe Park, the Dungeons, Blackpool Sealife, | | | | brands. Given their experience to date, and the |
| Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND and the London | | | | Council's exciting regeneration strategy, they |
| Eye. The company also operates the world's | | | | consider that this collaboration will offer significant |
| leading aquarium brand - SEA LIFE, including | | | | commercial advantages for both Blackpool and |
| Blackpool Promenade successful attraction. | | | | Merlin; however most notably genuine benefits for |
| The plans shape part of the Council's vision to | | | | future visitors to the town. This is a daring but |
| create an interesting, world class leisure | | | | essential initiative which offers the finest potential |
| destination for the future and Merlin's expertise | | | | system for strengthening the destination role of |
| and brand names are seen as key to | | | | the town. This will result in a significant increase |
| accomplishing this. As part of the deal, Merlin will | | | | in employment and visitor numbers and will weld |
| not only bring a thrilling new Dungeon visitor | | | | together all the other valuable projects and |
| attraction to the Blackpool Tower; but also utilize | | | | programmes which are planned to make Blackpool |
| its knowledge in operating the world famous | | | | an appealing location to reside, visit and make |
| London Eye to expand the present observation | | | | investments. |
| platform at the top of the Tower into an exciting | | | | Hotel owners and small businesses in Blackpool |
| new 'Eye' branded experience, including a 4D | | | | have hailed the deal saying it will no doubt put |
| cinema preview show. Also, the current Louis | | | | Blackpool back in the tourism limelight for people |
| Tussauds wax attraction will be developed into | | | | from all over Britain. This is a tremendous |
| another UK Madame Tussauds, with all the | | | | opportunity for the resort to truly harvest the |
| interactivity and high quality figures associated | | | | benefits from acquiring such key brand names |
| with this unique brand name. As a listed building, | | | | working in the region. The deal will see Merlin |
| the current repair programme for Blackpool | | | | advertise the Blackpool attractions across the UK |
| Tower itself will continue; and the famous | | | | and in Europe helping to raise Blackpool's profile as |
| Ballroom and Circus will be retained and are | | | | a visitor destination. |