Theme park beats Disney for a thrill ride after lockdown
ALTON Towers is set to be the most popular destination for thrill-seekers after Covid-19 restrictions are lifted, a new study has shown.
The study, conducted by Audley Villages – which operates luxury retirement villages – puts the theme park at the top of its list, even ahead of Disneyland Paris and Thorpe Park in terms of Google searches and Instagram hashtags by theme park fans eager to visit.
It comes as the park is set to open its brand new attraction, Gangsta Granny: The Ride, later this year, which will be joining the likes of Nemesis and Oblivion at the theme park in Alton. It is based on the best selling children’s book by David Walliams.
The park, which has been open as a visitor attraction since the 1960s, also beat trips to museums and art galleries. The theme park is also home to top roller-coaster rides Oblivion, Nemesis and The Smiler.
Staffordshire County Council is also hoping people will be coming back to the county’s visitor attractions as part of a post-covid-19 economic recovery.
Philip White, deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills said: “Staffordshire is home to worldclass visitor attractions that attract visitors from across the UK and beyond.
“Our tourism, hospitality and leisure sectors contribute £1.87 billion to the Staffordshire economy every year. The pandemic has hit those sectors directly with a significant knock-on effect to people and businesses across the county.”
“The recently launched Staffordshire story and brand-new approach to marketing our great county presents a further opportunity to reboot the activities and priorities of the Destination Management Partnership and provide the impetus for us to reinforce Staffordshire’s position as a nationally valued centre of the UK.
“We believe these proposals will help our visitor economy emerge from the current difficult period, take advantage of the staycation opportunities that lie ahead and build a better future for tourism and for the people who work within the industry in Staffordshire.”
Alton Towers is set to reopen its gardens to families based close to the theme park between Monday, March 29 to Sunday, April 11 before the rest of the park is set to reopen on April 12.
A GOAT which escaped its enclosure was found chasing cars and joggers along a South Derbyshire road.
Police were called out to Swarkestone Road, in Weston-ontrent, at around 11.35am on Tuesday and tasked with rescuing the goat from danger.
One officer was able to hold the goat by its horns with the help of members of the public, until another officer arrived to assist.
The goat was then safety returned to its enclosure. Police confirmed that no one was hurt in the incident.
Melbourne Police SNT took to social media to share details of the incident.
An officer posted on Facebook to say: “Fresh from this morning’s high-visibility foot patrols across our areas, PCSO Robbins was alerted to a report of anti-social behaviour of the four-legged horned variety near to Westonon-trent.
“Said goat was out on the main road chasing cars and passing joggers.
“PCSO Robbins held the goat by its horns with the help of member(s) of the public until PC Stevens, from Swadlincote Police attended to assist.
“The goat is now safely back it its enclosure.
“On a serious note, if you do have any livestock or pet(s), it is your responsibility as an owner to make sure you keep them under control at all times and secured accordingly.”