Drayton Manor Theme Park has been sold it has today been announced.
We reported months ago of Drayton Manor rumours considering the financial stability of the park with both Apocalypse and Shockwave (arguably the parks biggest attractions) being considered for sale to help the struggling park.
Today the park has confirmed it has been sold as part of a pre-pack administration deal to Looping Group – a European company operating 15 leisure parks across the UK, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Spain and Portugal.
Drayton Manor will keep all of the park’s 599 employees but a new development plan is in action to ensure the park’s long-term sustainability.
Instantly becoming a flagship in the Looping Group’s portfolio alongside West Midlands Safari Park and Pleasurewood Hills it will be interesting to see what the future holds for the Staffordshire park.
William Bryan, Managing Director at Drayton Manor Park, said:
“Like many businesses, we have faced challenges over recent months, but the sale to the Looping Group is an exciting and positive new chapter for Drayton Manor Park. For us, finding a buyer who would protect jobs was key, as was finding one who would continue to operate and develop the Drayton Manor Park our guests know and love.
Looping Group’s commitment towards a very ambitious investment plan and its pledge to reinvest profits primarily back into the park, made it a natural and very appealing fit for us.
The Bryan family was always committed to making the park one of the UK’s leading attractions and, under the Looping Group, we look forward to developing the family-friendly offering for many years to come.”
Laurent Bruloy, CEO of the Looping Group, said:
“We are thrilled and proud to welcome Drayton Manor Park and its talented team to our group. I would like to commend the Bryan family who has, over three generations, been developing the park and made it one of the most beautiful references of our industry in the UK. We are deeply respectful about all that has been achieved by the teams.
We aim to continue the story and support Drayton Manor’s development with the same entrepreneurial DNA and values that we share whilst keeping the strong local anchorage of the resort.
Our aim is to provide visitors with an unforgettable, fun and entertaining family day out. The park’s offering is the perfect fit with us, with its extensive range of award-winning rides and attractions including Europe’s first and only Thomas Land
Mike Denny, joint administrator and PwC Director, said:
“The Group had been facing exceptionally challenging trading conditions. In February, Storm Dennis forced the Park to close unexpectedly, whilst its planned reopening in March was delayed due to Covid-19. These factors combined exacerbated cash flow pressures on the Group.
We are delighted to have helped secure a sale which preserves 599 jobs and ensures the survival of a much loved leisure attraction that is steeped in history and heritage. The purchasers will be working with the existing management team to continue to grow and develop the business, we wish them every future success.”
