Conversations with a ride structural engineer
Steve Buckley has been involved in Structural Engineering since leaving school at the age of 16 and today works on Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s famous rides. “Time flies”, he says as…
How theme park prices would look with 5% VAT
There has recently been a re-emergence of calls to cut VAT on tourist attractions and hotel rooms from 20% to 5%. It has to be asked that if the attractions…
How Merlin’s parks might change after flotation
As Merlin Entertainments prepares to become a public company within just a few months’ time, the pressure of shareholders will have wide-ranging impact. The impending stock market flotation will consolidate…
Why is it big when rollercoasters break down?
When rollercoasters break down – or stop on their lift hills – it is usually made a big deal of by tabloids and news organisations. Usually explained by power cuts…
In quotes: How the media reported on The Smiler
It is always interesting how varied in style television and newspaper reports regarding a theme park ride incident can be. We take a glance at how the papers and news…
Understanding rollercoasters’ wheels of fortune
Callum Robin is the Business Manager at a company called QWheels - a company which may be of interest to theme park fans.
How ‘Health and Safety’ is often unfairly slated
Of all the phrases banded around by the tabloid newspapers - and in turn inaccurately recycled by the public - "health and safety gone mad" is among the most enduring.
Assessing the safety record of the Tip Top ride
The Tip Top flat ride model has been involved in a number of accidents around the British Isles in recent years. As details of another incident emerge, we take a…