‘‘Don’t change a thing!’
As it emerges the Trentham Estate has been put on the market Rachel Alexander spoke to visitors about what should happen at the site...
VISITORS to the Trentham Estate are calling on any potential new owners to not make ‘drastic changes’ after the attraction was put up for sale.
They would also like to see the entrance prices dropped or frozen to help families struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
Other ideas include offering more special offers and discounts, as well as enhancing the gardens and ensuring the site isn’t turned into a retail park.
They have outlined their vision after St Modwen ordered the sale of the estate – including the Italian Gardens and retail village – and appointed Christie & Co.
It will end St Modwen’s 25-year ownership of the site which attracts 3.25 million visitors every year.
More than 760,000 visitors pay to enter the gardens each year.
That puts Trentham Estate in the top five paid-for garden attractions in the UK.
Its assets include 85 leasehold retail units, a number of restaurants, and the Blue Diamond Garden Centre which is on a 35-year lease - as well as the Monkey Forest, Treetop Adventure high ropes course, and the 65-acre lake.
Mcfly, Steps and Craig David are playing Trentham this summer.
It is hoped that the existing onsite management and teams will transfer as part of any sale.
Saranne Smith said: “It’s a bit of a shocker. I’m presuming that whoever takes it on will try and enhance it or keep it the same. I think they need to keep the local aspect. I think that draws people.
“It’s such a popular place for people to come to, I think they’d see it immediately if they made any drastic changes. The visitors would vote with their feet.
“It’s a nice area to have, you can just come and drop in whenever you want to. The parking is quite easy which is important and it’s dog friendly. As more and more people have dogs it’s really important to keep that openness and flexibility.”
Mum Lois Swift was visiting with her daughter Ellie Field.
Lois said: “Whatever happens in the future, it’s going to be prohibitive if they start putting the price up. I think it’s the top end of the price to go in. As far as the shops are concerned, I live in the country and go walking a lot.
“A lot of the places I like to shop, such as Rohan and TOG24, are places I can’t normally get to. I like the small chains.”
Husband and wife Pete and Lynne Randall were enjoying a day out.
Pete said: “It depends on whether they’re going to keep it as it is. We certainly don’t need factories or houses around here.”
Lynne added: “There is something for everyone. It’s nice for children and retired people and dog owners.
“People can get here by bus, you don’t have to be a car driver. We’ve been cross with ourselves because we’ve not been here for a while.
“They’ve got water sports, they used to run children’s things here in the summer. But best of all you can meet friends, shop, have lunch, you can do whatever you want. It’s the mental wellbeing that everybody needs.
“There’s so many things that would be lost. It would be best to stay exactly the same. If I won the lottery I’d buy it!”
And Kate Moruzzi added: “Our daughter has come from London, we would like some kind of system where we could bring a family member for a little bit less.
“We just wouldn’t come if they changed lots. It’s not that accessible for people who don’t have money. They already can’t access leisure and health facilities. Maybe they could have a free day a month.”
Rachel Turner, from Trentham, said: “I want it to stay as it is but make sure they look after and develop the gardens. I don’t want them to just turn it into a retail park. It doesn’t matter who buys it, it’s more what they do with it.”
And Jennifer Witheridge, also from Trentham, said: “I thought it had been sold already. I don’t want it to alter at all. It’s good as it is.”