Welcome to balppa.org Friday 03 July 2009     site map join BALPPA contact us submit news about BALPPA who's who press industry news job vacancies member/industry links Members only: operating members trade associates lobbying legal helpline training opportunities meeting minutes diary dates newsflash noticeboard health & safety gallery items for sale change login details Committee only: meeting minutes The British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions Ltd. Suite 12, 37 Tanner Street, London, SE1 3LF, UK Tel: +44 (0)207 403 4455 Fax: +44 (0)207 403 4022 balppa5@btconnect.com   latest news newsfeed delivered by Meltwater News BALPPA APPOINTS CHIEF EXECUTIVE DESIGNATE Following the recent announcement on the retirement of BALPPA Chief Executive Colin Dawson, the BALPPA Management Committee have acted promptly in announcing who will join BALPPA as Chief Executive Designate. 700 new jobs at Alton Towers Alton Towers is to create 700 jobs and 10 new rides are planned there over the next decade. The Staffordshire theme park?s parent company Merlin Entertainments has revealed plans for its development which will add £12 million a year to the local... Public to have say on major plans for Chester Zoo The public are to be given the chance to have their say on ambitious plans to transform Chester Zoo. Earlier this year, the zoo announced a £225m long-term project that will see it become the largest conservation, animal and leisure attraction of its kind in... The Beatles Story launches second home and ?4D? experience A highlight of the attraction?s second home will be ?Fab4D? - a state-of-the-art four dimensional 40-seat theatre which opens mid July 2009. Audiences will experience a stunning 3D computer generated animation combined with a dramatic 4th dimension which will take them on an exciting multi-sensory 4D journey through the music of the Beatles. It is the first 4D theatre in Liverpool. Theme park granted approval for hotel DRAYTON Manor Theme Park, near Tamworth, Staffordshire, has come a step closer to having a 150-bedroom hotel on the site, since the Government Office West Midlands has approved the... Brits holiday at home, but UK tourism struggles With dreams of foreign beaches dashed on the rocks of the credit crunch, many Britons are heading to seaside nearer home this year. The enforced vogue for holidaying at home promises to deliver a shot in the arm to the domestic tourism industry, which had been left behind by the boom in low-cost air travel. Alton Towers fish in 'mating overdrive' ALTON TOWERS aquarium has been forced to hire a reproductive expert following a "mating overdrive" by its fish. The Sea Life aquarium at Alton Towers in Staffordshire has seen 60 seahorses and two bamboo sharks hatched since opening in March. JK Rowling mosaic made from 48,000 bricks unveiled at Legoland Windsor A mosaic of Harry Potter author JK Rowling has been constructed from 48,000 Lego... Scots wildcats set to make English return Kent's Port Lympne Wild Animal Park will breed the cats in realistic conditions detached from human... BALPPA CONDEMNS MISSED OPPORTUNITY TO PROMOTE BRITISH TOURISM Following last Wednesday?s Budget, BALPPA?s Chief Executive has expressed his disappointment in the Chancellors refusal to action the Associations proposal on VAT and provide a much need boost to the economy. industry news powered by attractionsmanagement.com Westminster Abbey redevelopment plans revealed Proposals to enhance the visitor experience at Westminster Abbey in central London have been revealed. A new museum and exhibition space showcasing historic treasures and artefacts previously unseen by the public will be housed in the upper gallery, known as the Triforium, while an education centre and a café will provide improved visitor facilities. The Beatles Story launches second site The operator of the Beatles Story visitor attraction in Liverpool has opened a second site within the new £10.5m Mersey Ferries terminal building. Called Beatles Story Pier Head, the attraction features a new 4D theatre supplied by Simworx and gallery space showcasing Beatles memorabilia. more industry news BALPPA gallery photographs from recent BALPPA events AGM and Parliamentary Lunch 2009 Annual Dinner 2009 More BALPPA photographs   BALPPA events Leisure Industry Week - Attractions Expo 22nd - 24th September 2009, 22nd - 24th September NEC Birmingham Annual Visitor Attractions Conference 7th October 2009 QE 2 Conference Centre London. 7th October 2009 Regional Meeting 14th -15th October 2009 Somerset Annual General Meeting 2010 15th March 2010 15th March 2010, The Terrace, House of Commons Parliamentary Lunch 2010 15th March 2010 The Churchill Room, House of Commons For more details on any of these events, click on the event name or contact BALPPA on +44 (0)207 403 4455